Placing people first
We have hundreds of roles available across every healthcare discipline. But we'll never see you as a number. Why? Because just like you, we place people first. By finding you a role that’s just the right fit, we like to think we are doing our bit to make sure people have access to the right care, at the right time. It’s simple; we care because you do.
Access jobs
Gain direct access to the latest placements at NHS and private healthcare employers throughout the UK. Register today and you’ll be one step closer to securing your ideal role.
Your experience
We know, from experience, there’s a perfect role for everyone. Simply upload your CV and relax as we take the weight out of the job search process for you.
Record time
We make light work of recording your time. Simply upload your timesheet and we’ll take care of the sign-off and payment process for you.
Latest jobs
Gain direct access to one of the largest selections of healthcare roles in the UK. We have roles to suit every healthcare professional, at every level.
Find your ideal role today
Consider how much easier it would be if the healthcare job search and application process was smooth, enjoyable even.
At Sanctuary Health, we pair our candidates with healthcare roles we know are a direct match to their skills, knowledge, experience and future aspirations.
Don't just take our word for it
We always place people first. Yes, we are a large health and social care recruitment business, but we’ll never be too big to care.
I'd just like to express how grateful I am to work with an establishment like Sanctuary. My consultant has always attended to my needs with care and professionalism. I have even been 'chased after' if my timesheets have not been submitted! That someone somewhere is vigilant and really cares and has the employees welfare at heart. Thank you for that; I have enjoyed working for Sanctuary.
Ellen
Band 6 Health Visitor
10/10 for service and advice. My consultant had an empathic nature and understood my concerns about moving roles, especially into an area of nursing that I had not previously been a specialist in.
Victoria
Allergy Nurse Specialist
I have been working for Sanctuary for a little over two years and with the support of my consultant from the very beginning, my experience and placements have been very positive, educational and fun. Sanctuary has always been available to support me. They have advised me accordingly and have been extremely professional whilst making me feel part of the team. My consultant is a personable individual and very easy to get on with and is always cheerful. I have every confidence in Sanctuary.
Cynthia
Community Mental Health Nurse
My consultant has been helpful, organised and supportive. He has been fantastic. He's very approachable and never fails to support and assist me during process of registration. He always keeps in touch and is also a fantastic guy.
Abdoul
Acute Nurse
Check out our latest blogs
Highly engaging, our blog is home to a rich source of healthcare careers advice. So, if you’re looking to take the next step in your career, you’ll find some useful advice.
What's New in Social Care and Healthcare this Week? (08/01/24)
Happy New Year to all our readers! It's a new year, so it's time for 2024's first news roundup of all the latest health and social care news. In today's collection, we'll explore the social workers honoured in the New Year's Honours list, what the newly issued amber cold health alert means for public health, the exciting discovery of a new antibiotic, and more. 1. Social Workers Honoured in New Year's ListThough controversial at times due to its highly politicised nature, the New Year's Honours list remains a chance to champion some of the nation's most hard-working and deserving people. This year, Kirstie Baughan was awarded the British Empire Medal, and Shabnam Ahmed was awarded an MBE, both for their contributions to social care. Baughan, a former recipient of the Social Worker of the Year Award (2022), was recognised for her work in supporting asylum seekers and refugees, while Ahmed, Camden council's adult safeguarding lead, was recognised for her anti-racism work in adult social work. Congratulations, both!2. Amber Cold Health Alert (CHA)A new cold snap has hit parts of the country, resulting in the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issuing an amber cold health alert (CHA). Affecting various areas, including parts of the Midlands and the southwest, the alert, which means that the impacts of cold weather will likely be felt across the whole health service for "an extended period of time", is set to end on Friday, January 12. Other regions of the UK, such as the east, south-east and London, have remained at a yellow level CHA – meaning that the weather conditions may impact vulnerable populations (the over-65s, for instance). 3. Exciting New Antibiotic DiscoveredThe threat of so-called antibiotic-resistant 'superbugs' has been the talk of the scientific town over the last decade or so, with an increasing number of disease-inducing bacteria becoming resistant to existing antibiotics, making them much more challenging to treat effectively (if at all). However, a new compound has been discovered that works extremely well in combatting certain lethal infections. The new chemical compound, called zosurabalpin, has shown incredibly promising results in tackling infections caused by the Acinetobacter baumannii bacterium. Infections can be generated throughout the body, including in the lungs, urinary tract and the blood. It is hazardous in acute medical settings like hospitals. With a lethality of between 40% and 60%, it's critical that new antibiotics (like zosurabalpin) are found that the bacteria aren't resistant to. There's still a long road before this antibiotic gets approved for widespread use. However, the initial signs are immensely promising.4. Junior Doctors StrikingAt the time of writing, a six-day full walkout of junior doctors is in full swing. The strikes, called for by the British Medical Association (BMA), are being carried out to achieve a complete pay restoration to "reverse the steep decline in pay faced by junior doctors since 2008/2009". The strike is the longest in NHS history, and many NHS trusts have asked that the BMA recall the striking doctors from the picket line to handle worsening situations in hospitals, with several trusts having reported critical incidents. Although the strikes end on Tuesday, January 9, future industrial action cannot be ruled out (with both consultants in England and junior doctors in Northern Ireland being balloted and junior doctor strikes lined up in Wales later this month).5. Another Council Close to BankruptcyBradford Council is perilously close to becoming the next local council to issue a Section 114 notice unless it receives a much-needed emergency cash injection from the government. It's estimated that Bradford's council will overspend by £73 million for the current financial year. The cause of the economic issues is being cited as two-fold: firstly, increasingly expensive adult and children's social care, and secondly, cuts made by the government. If the Section 114 notice is issued, the local authority will have to dispose of various assets as part of a saving plan, including the closure of an outdoor activity centre and household waste centres, with over 100 jobs thought to be on the line. Final ThoughtsThere you have it, then – your first weekly news roundup of 2024. We hope you found it informative, and we'll see you this time next week! Whilst you're here, why not check out one of our thousands of jobs on offer?
Read more
NHS Workforce Plan promises to train, retain and reform
Record levels of recruitment, staff retention and new ways of working are all part of a new strategy to address existing healthcare vacancies and meet the challenges of a growing and ageing population. The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan is the first ever comprehensive strategy to make staffing sustainable and improve patient care. The plan includes a commitment to deal with workforce shortages by recruiting record numbers of doctors, nurses, dentists and other healthcare staff. It was commissioned and endorsed by the government, which has promised over £2.4 billion over five years to pay for additional education and training places, over and above existing funding commitments. “On the 75th anniversary of our health service, this government is making the largest single expansion in NHS education and training in its history,” said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. “This is a plan for investment and a plan for reform. In the coming years we will train twice the number of doctors and an extra 24,000 nurses a year, helping to cut waiting lists and improve patient care. And we will do more to retain our brilliant NHS staff and reform the way the health system works to ensure it is fit for the future.” Forward thinkingFor decades there has been an absence of strategic planning to ensure the NHS workforce is fit for purpose. This has limited the potential to make the most of the skills of those who work in frontline healthcare jobs. It has also hampered efforts to forecast future staffing needs and align them with financial planning so that recruitment levels are matched to demand. The new plan includes detailed modelling of NHS workforce demand and supply over a 15-year period, showing the resulting shortfall. It sets out the actions that will be taken in the coming years to address this shortfall in addition to, and building on, actions and investment already committed over the next two years. Supporting existing NHS staffAs well as the training and recruitment of new doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, there will also be a greater focus on supporting and retaining existing NHS staff. That means better opportunities for career development and improved flexible working options, as well as government reforms to the NHS pension scheme. Investment in new technology will also help to improve efficiency and free up staff to focus on using their skills and expertise in the most productive ways. This includes more funding for Artificial Intelligence (AI), with an expert group being set up to identify appropriate advanced technology which could make a real difference. “This is a truly historic day for the NHS in England,” commented NHS Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard. “For 75 years, the extraordinary dedication, skill and compassion of NHS staff has been the backbone of the health service – and the publication of our first-ever NHS Long Term Workforce Plan now gives us a once in a generation opportunity to put staffing on sustainable footing for the years to come.”
Read more
GDC strategy targets preventative dental care
A continued switch in balance towards prevention rather than cure is at the heart of a three-year plan published by the General Dental Council (GDC). The GDC Costed Corporate Plan 2023-25 sets out four strategic aims to support those working in dentistry jobs: Ensuring that dental professionals are well-trained, and deliver care to high standards, supported by a regulatory approach which enables prevention of harm, as well as lifelong learning. Creating an environment where concerns about dental professionals are addressed effectively and proportionately to protect the public and support professional learning. Using the organisation’s insight to highlight risks to patient safety and wellbeing, and encouraging the right parts of the dental sector to respond. Improving efficiency and effectiveness of dental professional regulation, as well as ensuring it adapts to the changing external environment. Key challengesIn moving the balance of its efforts towards preventative care, the GDC faces a number of challenges, including delays and uncertainty over plans to reform the health professional regulators and changes to registration procedures following Brexit, not to mention the current cost of living crisis and economic pressures, which are impacting patient choice, dental businesses, individual dental professionals and the GDC. The GDC aims to continue to press for legislative reform, but is aware that this is by no means a certainty and is unlikely to resolve all existing issues. Therefore, it’s committed to continuing to drive improvements within current constraints, while supporting and empowering dental professionals to deliver safe and effective dental care to high standards of professionalism. Ambitious work programmeThe GDC is planning 57 projects which support its four strategic aims for 2023-25. Of these, 32 are ‘flow through’ projects that started in previous years and 20 are new initiatives that will launch in 2023. Planned projects include: developing and implementing revised Standards for Education for those planning careers in dentistry, redesign of the GDC’s Fitness to Practice key performance indicators (KPIs), improvements in digital communications, making UK registration paperless. What is the GDC’s role?The GDC is the UK-wide statutory regulator tasked with protecting the public and ensuring that they have confidence in the services provided by dental professionals. The GDC regulates over 115,000 people who are employed in jobs in dentistry, including clinical dental technicians, dental hygienists, dental nurses, dental technicians, dental therapists and orthodontic therapists. The GDC works closely with practising dental professionals across many areas of its work to ensure key decisions are taken with the benefit of professional experience and expertise. This includes consulting on educational provision for those planning to work in dentistry and having panels of dental professionals to help ensure that overseas applicants for UK registration have the relevant knowledge and skills to practice effectively and safely.
Read more
Improved cancer survival rates
Three in four people with cancer survive for the first year after being diagnosed, with rates of survival for some cancers even higher. Published in April, NHS England’s one-year cancer survival index compares 2020 with 2005. The overall first-year survival rate has risen by 9% to 74.6%. The survival rate for breast cancer is around 97% and for bowel cancer it’s over 80%. “These figures are highly encouraging and support those released earlier this year which show improved survival rates across almost all types of cancer,” said Health Minister Helen Whately. “They are evidence of great strides being made by the NHS, scientists and our incredible cancer charities.” Earlier diagnosisDiagnosing cancer at an early stage is key to the improvement of survival rates and is at the heart of NHS England’s cancer strategy. As a result of high-profile ad campaigns and awareness drives, many more people are being tested for cancer. Almost 500,000 more patients were checked between March 2021 and October 2022, compared to the same period before the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost 550,000 more people were referred for cancer during this period, helping to reverse the drop in people being tested during the pandemic. In 2021-22, over 100,000 patients were diagnosed with cancer at stages one or two, when it’s much easier to treat. That’s the highest proportion ever. Since July 2021, 94 community diagnostic centres have opened across England, delivering 3.3 million checks, tests and scans. Nursing roles are vital in cancer careResearch shows that having good access to care from designated clinical nurse specialists could improve cancer patients’ chances of survival. A study published in the British Medical Journal in 2022 examined data from over 99,000 people diagnosed with colorectal, lung, breast or prostate cancer. Researchers concluded that there was strong evidence of the vital contribution that specialist nurses can make to cancer survival. As a result, they suggested that input and support from clinical nurse specialists should be available to all patients immediately after diagnosis. Involvement of allied health professionalsWith improved survival rates, many types of cancer are increasingly being seen as long-term conditions. This is resulting in more input in cancer care from allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and dietitians. They can provide personalised advice and support for patients to aid recovery and rehabilitation. They also provide a link with community, primary care, social care and other services. According to cancer support charity Macmillan, 30% of cancer patients have reported unmet needs after treatment for cancer which could benefit from rehabilitation services delivered by allied health professionals. The National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service (NCRAS) aims to collect data on all cases of cancer that occur in people living in England. Find out more here.
Read more
GMC revalidation – all you need to know
All doctors who are licensed to practise in the UK must revalidate with the General Medical Council (GMC). Here’s our handy guide to the revalidation process. What is revalidation? Medical revalidation is the process by which doctors confirm to the GMC that they’re fit to practice in the UK. Revalidation supports doctors with professional development, drives improvements in clinical governance and gives patients confidence that your knowledge and skills are up to date. The NHS sees revalidation as a key measure in improving the quality of care for patients. Do all doctors need to revalidate? Yes, all doctors who are licenced to practise in the UK must revalidate. That includes doctors in all specialties in the NHS and in private sector healthcare roles, whether you’re employed, self-employed or working in healthcare locum jobs. How does revalidation work? Most doctors revalidate via connection to a ‘designated body’, determined usually by employment or contracting arrangements. You’ll be partnered with a ‘responsible officer’, who’s usually a senior colleague. The responsible officer makes a recommendation to the GMC about your fitness to practice, based on annual appraisals over five years, combined with information drawn from the designated body’s clinical governance systems. It's the duty of the responsible officer to make sure that appraisals are carried out effectively and to a high standard, and to assure the quality of clinical governance systems in their organisation. As well as supporting doctors in developing their practice, this also enables early identification and intervention where doctors need additional support. What if you don’t have a designated body? The GMC’s website has guidance on how to revalidate if you aren’t connected to a designated body. Essentially, you have two options. You can identify a ‘suitable person’ who can appraise your performance. Alternatively, you can revalidate directly with the GMC through a series of annual appraisals, annual returns and an assessment of your knowledge and skills in the year you’re due to revalidate. What if you’re a doctor in training? Doctors in training revalidate by engaging in the requirements of their UK training programme. The GMC makes a revalidation decision based on a recommendation from the responsible officer of your training body. Is there a cost involved in revalidation? The GMC doesn’t usually charge doctors to revalidate. In some circumstances, there may be an administration fee payable, for example where you have no connection to a designated body or an eligible suitable person. Getting ready for revalidation There are several steps you need to take to be prepared for revalidation: Register on GMC Online. Identify and confirm your responsible officer via your GMC Online account. Keep your annual appraisals up to date. Collect supporting information. The GMC website has guidance on requirements for licensed doctors to provide supporting information for appraisal and revalidation. What happens next? The GMC will make its revalidation decision based on the information supplied by your responsible officer, suitable person or direct evidence and appraisals. If you’re recommended for revalidation, your next revalidation date will be set for five years thereafter. Browse our latest doctors jobs.
Read more
Is dentistry older than we think?
The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans are famous for having teeth extracted and wearing dentures. But did you know that Neanderthals may also have attempted a form of dentistry 130,000 years ago? The general consensus of opinion used to be that the history of dentistry went back no further than a couple of thousand years or so. But that was before researchers at the University of Kansas found what could be evidence of basic dental techniques being used around 128 millennia earlier. Using advanced technology to analyse Neanderthal teeth found over a century ago in Croatia, the scientists found that the premolar and M3 molar were pushed out of their normal positions. They also found six toothpick grooves among those two teeth and the two molars behind them. "The scratches indicate this individual was pushing something into his or her mouth to get at that twisted premolar," said David Frayer, the University’s Emeritus Professor of Anthropology. “As a package, this fits together as a dental problem that the Neanderthal was having and was trying to presumably treat itself, with the toothpick grooves, the breaks and also with the scratches on the premolar.” Previous research had already identified toothpick grooves going back almost two million years, so these new findings have contributed to a growing body of evidence that dentistry was invented much earlier in human history than previously thought. A perennial problemThe misery of toothache is something we share with our ancestors. Of course, it’s the sugary drinks and processed foods we now consume that are mainly responsible for widespread tooth decay in modern times. However, although they weren’t in the habit of bingeing on Coke and chocolate bars, ancient societies had much coarser diets, which resulted in much greater wear and tear on their teeth. Ancient Greek scholars Hippocrates and Aristotle wrote about dentistry. Various preparations for the treatment of toothache, tooth infections and loose teeth have been found in ancient Egyptian papyri. And the Romans used rudimentary dentures made from ivory, bone or boxwood. However, it was their predecessors in Northern Italy, the Etruscans, who came closest to acquiring the skills of modern-day dental technicians by expertly crafting bridges out of ox bone and wire. Crazy remediesThere have been some eccentric solutions to the problem of toothache. The Ancient Egyptians believed that wearing an amulet could relieve the pain, while the Roman writer Pliny suggested that a frog in the moonlight had the power to cure the problem. You only had to ask. For many centuries it was believed that cavities were caused by burrowing tooth worms. An ancient Babylonian cuneiform tablet entitled ‘The Legend of the Worm’ recounts how a supernatural worm drinks the blood and eats the roots of the teeth, causing cavities and periodontitis. The idea of tooth worms persisted until it was debunked in the first authoritative scientific description of dentistry, ‘The Surgeon Dentist’ by Pierre Fauchard, published in 1728. If you’re actively looking for a new dentistry job or you want to test the career waters, find out how we can help.
Read more
Your career
Being on the frontline, we know it can be tricky to find the time to reflect on your professional wellbeing and nurture you career. Let your dedicated Sanctuary Health consultant take the pain out of the job search process for you. You’ll only ever be presented with healthcare roles that meet your exact needs, qualifications and pay expectations.
Healthcare Employers
As a preferred health and social care resourcing partner to over 400 public sector organisations, many private and voluntary healthcare employers - and an on-framework supplier to the NHS - we know what great recruitment looks like. It’s simple. We place people first. Our healthcare consultants understand the sensitive nature of your work and the frontline pressures you face. The clients we support - your future employers - trust us to provide highly suitable candidates.Explore your career options At Sanctuary Health, we believe in a sweet spot in healthcare recruitment; a place where you feel supported to develop your healthcare career. Employers who chose to work with Sanctuary Health highly value our approach. We will only ever present you with role we feel is a direct match for you. Therefore, we pay close attention to:Your experience and how it matches the employer’s requirementsWhere you want to work – location and environmentWhether you want a locum or permanent position And, most importantly, how the role fits into your long-term plansLocum Our specialist healthcare consultants have extensive relationships with employers looking for locum healthcare professionals just like you. Whether you want to work in the City or are drawn to the countryside, we’ll find you a suitable role. Permanent Our 360-degree permanent healthcare recruitment service is an attractive option for NHS, voluntary and private sector organisations looking to create the very best healthcare teams. Whether you are newly qualified or have spent 10 years building a career, we’ll identify perfectly matched permanent positions for you.To find your next role with Sanctuary, register today.
Read more
Support for Healthcare Professionals
We place people firstWith Sanctuary Heath, you’ll always be more than a number. We value your career, both in terms of what it means to you and to the people you support. An expert understandingOur highly experienced healthcare recruitment consultants are sympathetic to the demanding yet rewarding work you do. They go the extra mile to understand the intricacies of your future employer, so that you can feel confident in our choice of positions for you. By taking this tailored approach, we like to think we are helping look after your professional wellbeing. Lasting relationshipsYou’ll be given an experienced consultant, who will be your primary point of contact throughout your placement, and for many years to come. This makes it easier and quicker to match you to the right job each time.Exclusive access to jobsBeing on framework to supply qualified healthcare professionals to NHS Trusts, and a preferred supplier to over 160 local authorities and private healthcare providers, we can offer you exclusive job opportunities. Safe recruitmentOur in-house compliance team is at the heart of our recruitment process. They organise registration certificates, references and immunisations (where necessary) to ensure you are prepared for your placement. Safe recruitment is paramount. As a DBS umbrella body, Sanctuary enables online DBS applications to be carried out in-house, often resulting in a faster turnaround. There are hundreds of different healthcare jobs. If you let us know what work you like and the type of team you want to work in, we’ll only ever present you with suitable placement opportunities.Interested in finding out how Sanctuary can find you a new healthcare job? Register today.
Read more
