Terms & Conditions

1.1 The definitions and rules of interpretation in this clause apply to this agreement.

1.2   A person includes a natural person, corporate or unincorporated body (whether or not having separate legal personality) and that person's personal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.

1.3   A reference to a company shall include any company, corporation or other body corporate, wherever and however incorporated or established.

1.4   A reference to a statute or statutory provision is a reference to it as amended, extended or re-enacted from time to time and includes any subordinate legislation for the time being in force made under it.

1.5   Any obligation on a party not to do something includes an obligation not to allow that thing to be done.

1.6   References to clauses are to the clauses of this agreement.

1.7   Any words following the terms including, include, in particular, for example or any similar expression shall be construed as illustrative and shall not limit the sense of the words, description, definition, phrase or term preceding those terms.

2.1   These terms set out the agreement between Nurses Group and the Client for the supply of Temporary Workers by Nurses Group to the Client. For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, Nurses Group acts as an employment business in relation to the Introduction and supply of Temporary Workers pursuant to this agreement.

2.2   2 Nurses Group will perform the services using reasonable skill and care and will ensure that all staff involved in the provision of the services are suitably trained, sufficiently skilled, experienced and competent.

3.1   When making a request for the provision of a Temporary Worker to perform certain services (an "Assignment"), the Client will give Nurses Group details of:

(a)   The date on which the Client requires the Temporary Worker to commence work and the duration, or likely duration, of the work;

(b)   The position which the Client seeks to fill, including the type of work the Temporary Worker in that position would be required to do, the location at which, and the hours during which, the Temporary Worker would be required to work, and any risk to health or safety known to the Client and what steps the Client has taken to prevent or control such risks;

(c)   The experience, training, qualifications and any authorisation which the Client considers are necessary, or which are required by law, or by any professional body, for the Temporary Worker to possess in order to work in the position;

(d)   Any expenses payable by or to the Worker;

(e)   Any information reasonably required by Nurses Group in order for Nurses Group to fulfil its obligations under the AWR 2010.

3.2   The Client is responsible for providing a safe working environment and safe and appropriate equipment for the tasks to be completed by the Temporary Worker

3.3   The Client is responsible for ensuring that the Temporary Worker is not subject to discrimination by the Client's employees, service users or any other third party during the course of an Assignment.

3.4   Where the services require residence of a Temporary Worker at the Client's premises, the Client shall provide adequate accommodation for rest or sleep and meals for the Temporary Worker.

3.5   The Client shall ensure that the Temporary Worker is able to take the same refreshment breaks, meals and facilities as the Client's own staff (which shall in any event comply with requirements under applicable law).

3.6   Any costs associated with refreshment breaks (which must be provided in accordance with applicable law), meals or any benefits in kind in accordance with clauses 3.4 and 3.5 are not deductible from the Service Fees, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties.

3.7   An authorised representative of the Client is responsible for verifying the hours worked by the Temporary Worker by signing a timesheet or by completing an online timesheet.

4.1   Nurses Group's most valuable asset is its bank of workers. Nurses Group invests heavily in the recruitment, investigation and approval, training and development of all members of its staff. As such it is necessary for Nurses Group to protect its investment.

4.2   If, within 6 months following the Introduction of a Temporary Worker by Nurses Group to the Client, in circumstances where the Temporary Worker has not then been supplied by Nurses Group to the Client, the Client Engages the Temporary Worker, the Client will pay Nurses Group an introduction fee of £6,000 (where the Temporary Worker is a nurse) or £3,000 (where the Temporary Worker is a care worker) (the "Introduction Fee").

4.3   If, following the supply of a Temporary Worker by Nurses Group to the Client, the Client Engages the Temporary Worker within the Relevant Period, the Client will pay Nurses Group a transfer fee of £6,000 (where the Temporary Worker is a nurse) or £3,000 (where the Temporary Worker is a care worker) (the "Transfer Fee").

4.4   Introduction Fees and/or Transfer Fees will not be payable if the Client gives written notice to Nurses Group that it intends to hire (or continue to hire) the Temporary Worker on a full time basis (i.e. 37.5 hours per week) for a period (or further period) of three months (i.e. 487.5 hours) ("Extended Assignment") before it Engages the Temporary Worker and the Client does in fact hire the Temporary Worker for that Extended Assignment. The Service Fees payable by the Client during the Extended Assignment will be calculated at the applicable rate.

4.5   If, within 6 months following the Introduction of a Temporary Worker by Nurses Group to the Client, in circumstances where the Temporary Worker has not then been supplied by Nurses Group to the Client, the Client introduces the Temporary Worker to a third party who then Engages the Temporary Worker, the Client will pay Nurses Group a referral fee of £6,000 (where the Temporary Worker is a nurse) or £3,000 (where the Temporary Worker is a care worker).

4.6   If, following the supply of a Temporary Worker by Nurses Group to the Client, the Client introduces the Temporary Worker to a third party who then Engages the Temporary Worker within the Relevant Period, the Client will pay Nurses Group a referral fee of £6,000 (where the Temporary Worker is a nurse) or £3,000 (where the Temporary Worker is a care worker).

5.1   The Client will review the information provided by Nurses Group in accordance with clause 2.3 and if (acting reasonably and in a non-discriminatory fashion) the Client is not satisfied with the proposed Temporary Worker, the Client shall notify Nurses Group prior to the Temporary Worker arriving at the Client's premises to perform the services so that Nurses Group can find a suitable alternative Temporary Worker.

5.2   If (acting reasonably and in a non-discriminatory fashion) either party believes that a Temporary Worker is unsuitable to perform the relevant Assignment once the Temporary Worker has arrived at the Client's premises and/or the provision of services by the Temporary Worker has commenced (an "Unsatisfactory Temporary Worker"), then such party shall notify the other party in writing, giving the grounds for its dissatisfaction.

5.3   Upon notification by either party in accordance with clause 5.2, Nurses Group will use reasonable endeavours to replace the Unsatisfactory Temporary Worker with another Temporary Worker as soon as is reasonably practicable. If Nurses Group is unable to replace the Unsatisfactory Temporary Worker within 48 hours, the Client may terminate the Assignment immediately on notifying Nurses Group in writing. The Client shall remain liable for payment of Service Fees due and payable for services already performed if the circumstances in clauses 5.2 and 5.3 arise.

5.4   If a Temporary Worker is absent for any reason during an Assignment, Nurses Group will use its reasonable endeavours to provide another suitably qualified Temporary Worker to cover the absence. Nurses Group will notify the Client if no suitable replacement is available and shall have no liability to the Client in respect of the absence.

5.5   The Client may terminate an Assignment at any time on giving 24 hours' notice in writing to Nurses Group.

5.6   Nurses Group may, at its sole discretion, charge the full amount of any Service Fees which would have become due in respect of any Assignment which is terminated by the Client on less than 24 hours' notice.

6.1   Nurses Group has developed an automated online booking system which enables clients to access Nurses Group's information online, to ascertain staff availability and to place bookings. The client portal system also allows Nurses Group to display staff verification details and staff profiles.

6.2   Subject to clause 6.3, Nurses Group hereby grants the Client a non-exclusive licence to use the Client portal for the Client's internal business administration activities for the term of this Agreement. The Client is not permitted to grant access to the Client portal and Profile Service to any other person and such action will entitle Nurses Group to terminate or suspend the Client's access to the Client portal with immediate effect. The licence granted under this clause 6.2 shall terminate automatically upon termination of this Agreement.

6.3   The parties will complete an audit of the Client's IT facilities to ensure compatibility with the Client portal. Following the successful completion of an audit and compatibility check, Nurses Group will:

(A)   Provide the Client with a username and password to access the Client portal in accordance with clause

(B)   Assist with on-site set up at the Client's premises; and

(C)   Provide a training session at the Client's premises (further training may be requested by the Client at a rate of £250 per day).

6.4   Nurses Group will use reasonable endeavours to maintain the availability of the Client portal but shall have no liability to the Client for any interruption or unavailability or the loss of any data.

7.1   The Client will pay Nurses Group the Service Fees in respect of Temporary Workers.

7.2   The Service Fees will:

(A)   Be calculated according to the amount of time worked by the Temporary Worker (rounded up to the nearest 15 minutes); and

(B)   Comprise the entire charge in respect of the Temporary Worker and shall be exclusive of VAT (if applicable);

7.3   Nurses Group shall be entitled, at its sole discretion, to review and increase or decrease the fees set out in the Scale of Charges periodically (and in any event every 6 months in respect of qualified nurses and every 12 months in respect of care workers).

7.4   Unless otherwise agreed by the parties in writing, the Client shall reimburse Nurses Group, in addition to the Fees, the cost of hotel, subsistence, travelling and any other ancillary expenses reasonably and properly incurred by the Temporary Worker in the provision of the Services.

7.5   Nurses Group will submit its invoice to the Client in respect of the Fees and any Expenses weekly in arrears.

7.6   Nurses Group will submit invoices to the Client via email or post (as agreed between the parties) unless the Client has notified Nurses Group that it wishes to access invoices online through Nurses Group’s online invoicing system. To the extent that the online invoicing system is or becomes unavailable at any time, Nurses Group shall be entitled at its discretion to submit invoices to affected Clients by email or post.

7.7   The Client shall pay each invoice submitted to it by Nurses Group, in cleared funds, within 28 days of receipt, by BACS to a bank account nominated in writing by Nurses Group or by cheque.

7.8   If the Client fails to make any payment due to Nurses Group under this agreement by the due date for payment, then, the Client shall pay interest on the overdue amount at the rate of 8% per annum above the Bank of England base rate from time to time. Such interest shall accrue on a daily basis from the due date until actual payment of the overdue amount, whether before or after judgment. The Client shall pay the interest together with the overdue amount.

This Agreement shall commence on the date stated in the Contract Details and shall continue, unless terminated earlier in accordance with clause 9.

9.1   Nurses Group may withdraw Temporary Workers in circumstances, which, in Nurses Group's reasonable opinion, make the completion of an Assignment untenable. Such circumstances would include (without limitation) failure by the Client to provide safe and appropriate equipment and a safe environment in accordance with clause 3.2, failure to pay an invoice in accordance with clause 9.2(a) or 3 occurrences of late payment of an invoice within a calendar year.

9.2   Without affecting any other right or remedy available to it, Nurses Group may terminate this Agreement with immediate effect by giving written notice to Client if the Client:

(A)   Fails to pay any amount due under this Agreement on the due date and remains in default no less than 28 days after being notified in writing to make such payment;

(B)   Commits a material breach of any term of this Agreement and (if such a breach is remediable) fails to remedy that breach within 28 days of receipt of notice in writing to do so;

(C)   Takes any step or action in connection with its entering administration, provisional liquidation or any composition or arrangement with its creditors (other than in relation to a solvent restructuring), being wound up (whether voluntarily or by order of the court, unless for the purpose of a solvent restructuring), having a receiver appointed to any of its assets or ceasing to carry on business;

(D)   Suspends, or threatens to suspend, or ceases or threatens to cease to carry on all or a substantial part of its business or if the Client's financial position deteriorates to such an extent that in Nurses Group's opinion the Client's capability to adequately fulfil its obligations under this Contract has been placed in jeopardy.

10.1   Any provision of this Agreement that expressly or by implication is intended to come into or continue in force on or after termination or expiry of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

10.2   Termination of this Agreement shall not affect any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities of the parties that have accrued up to the date of termination, including the right to claim damages in respect of any breach of the Agreement which existed at or before the date of termination.

11.1   The Client shall at all times comply with its obligations under the AWR 2010, including but not limited to providing any Temporary Workers with access to collective facilities and amenities and employment opportunities subject to and in accordance with regulation 12 and 13 of the AWR 2010.

11.2   In the event that either party receives an allegation by any Temporary Worker that there has been a breach of the AWR 2010 in relation to the supply of that person to the Client by Nurses Group (whether that allegation has been made as a request for information under regulation 16 of the AWR 2010 or otherwise), it shall provide a copy of that allegation to the other party within seven days of receipt. The parties shall co-operate with each other in relation to responding to that allegation, which shall include supplying any information which may be reasonably requested by the other party, and complying with any reasonable requests in relation to the contents of any response.

11.3   The Client will maintain in force, with a reputable insurance company, and shall procure that the Temporary Worker benefits from, adequate insurance cover for any loss, injury or damage caused by or to the Temporary Worker during the course of an Assignment, including (without limitation) employers' liability insurance in an amount not less than £10 million in respect of any one claim and public liability insurance (including malpractice cover for treatment risks, error and omissions) in an amount not less than £5 million in respect of any one claim.

11.4   Nurses Group will maintain, for the term of this agreement, employers' liability insurance in an amount not less than £10 million in respect of any one claim and public liability insurance (including malpractice cover for treatment risks, error and omissions) in an amount not less than £5 million in respect of any one claim.

11.5   The Client shall be responsible for insuring to full replacement value all personal furniture and belongings of individuals in their care and accepts that Nurses Group shall not be responsible or have any liability for any loss of or damage to such individuals' personal items (including but not limited to cash, credit cards, cheques, certificates, documents or personal effects such as jewellery) unless the Client can demonstrate to Nurses Group' satisfaction (acting reasonably), that the Temporary Worker has been negligent or fraudulent in respect of those individuals' belongings.

11.6   SDue to the nature of the service offered by Nurses Group to the Client, Nurses Group shall have no liability to the Client whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty, or otherwise, for any loss, expenses, damage or delay arising from any failure to provide a Temporary Worker for all or part of an Assignment.

11.7   Nurses Group shall have no liability to the Client, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty, or otherwise, for any loss of profit, or for any indirect or consequential loss arising under or in connection with this agreement.

11.8   Nurses Group's total liability to the Client, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty, or otherwise, arising under or in connection with this agreement shall be limited to the total of the Service Fees paid under this agreement.

11.9   Nothing in this agreement shall limit or exclude either party's liability for:

(A)   Death or personal injury caused by its negligence, or the negligence of its employees, agents or subcontractors;

(B)   Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or

(C)   Any other liability which cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law.

11.10   The provisions of this clause 11 shall survive termination of this agreement.

12.1   Each party undertakes that it shall not at any time disclose to any person any confidential information concerning the business, affairs, customers, clients or suppliers of the other party , except as permitted by clause 12.2.

12.2   Each party may disclose the other party's confidential information:

(A)   To its employees, officers, representatives or advisers who need to know such information for the purposes of carrying out the party's obligations under this agreement. Each party shall ensure that its employees, officers, representatives or advisers to whom it discloses the other party's confidential information comply with this clause 12; and

(B)   As may be required by law, a court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental or regulatory authority.

12.3   No party shall use any other party's confidential information for any purpose other than to perform its obligations under this agreement.

Each party warrants that it has full capacity and authority to enter into and perform this agreement.

Subject to clause 4, the Client agrees that it will not, either on its own account or in partnership or association with any person, firm, company or organisation, or otherwise and whether directly or indirectly during, or for a period of six months from, the end of the term of this agreement, solicit or entice away or attempt to entice away or authorise the taking of such action by any other person, any key executive of Nurses Group who has worked on the services provided under this agreement at any time during the term of this agreement.

Subject to clause 7.3, no variation of this agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by the parties.

Any notice given to a party under or in connection with this contract shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or by pre-paid post or other next working day delivery service at its registered office.

If a dispute arises out of or in connection with this agreement or the performance, validity or enforceability of it then except as expressly provided in this agreement, the parties shall follow the procedure set out in accordance with Nurses Group’ written Complaints Procedure that shall be available upon request.

This agreement and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with it or its subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales.

Neither party shall be in breach of this agreement nor liable for delay in performing, or failure to perform, any of its obligations under this agreement, including payment, if such delay or failure result from events, circumstances or causes beyond its reasonable control. In such circumstances the affected party shall be entitled to a reasonable extension of the time for performing such obligations. If the period of delay or non-performance continues for 30 days, the party not affected may terminate this agreement by giving 14 days' written notice to the affected party.

20.1   If any provision or part-provision of this agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, legal and enforceable. If such modification is not possible, the relevant provision or part-provision shall be deemed deleted. Any modification to or deletion of a provision or part-provision under this clause 20 shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the rest of this agreement.

20.2   If any provision or part-provision of this agreement is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend such provision so that, as amended, it is legal, valid and enforceable, and, to the greatest extent possible, achieves the intended commercial result of the original provision.