2<\/p>\n A major nursing agency has been axed from the NHSCredit: Alamy 2<\/p>\n H1 Healthcare has been suspended amid health board probesCredit: Alamy<\/p>\n Last night Tory MSP Sandesh Gulhane \u2014 also a GP<\/a> \u2014 said it was \u201cterrifying\u201d that unscreened staff could have been allowed near patients.<\/p>\n Insiders warned bosses they risked losing their contracts after an internal review<\/a> revealed fears they were unable to prove that 57 ICU, neonatal and A&E staff did not present a risk to patients.<\/p>\n Health chiefs in Greater Glasgow<\/a> and Clyde, Lanarkshire<\/a>, Fife<\/a> and Grampian healthboards have suspended the firm.<\/p>\n And a source last night accused agency bosses of putting \u201cprofit before safety\u201d.<\/p>\n They told The Scottish Sun on Sunday: \u201cRules are strict for a reason.<\/p>\n “Nurses<\/a> can cut themselves on instruments, needles, bits of bone or teeth<\/a> and expose patients to their blood.<\/p>\n \u201cThis agency is sending staff into operating theatres, critical care wards and to look after newborns and women<\/a> who have just given birth with apparently no idea of the risks.<\/p>\n \u201cTo even consider sending them in knowing the checks are missing is disgusting and dangerous<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cImagine going into hospital<\/a> for treatment or to have a baby and coming out with HIV<\/a> or hepatitis.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is profit before safety<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n I was forced out of my job as NHS nurse after patient claimed he got me pregnant<\/p>\n We can reveal agency operations manager James Hughes flagged discrepancies to bosses last August \u2014 warning they risked failing an NHS<\/a> audit. <\/p>\n He insisted action was needed on \u201cincorrect\u201d fitness<\/a> to work credentials which could see the company lose contracts.<\/p>\n He urged leaders to \u201cmake a decision\u201d because the firm would likely lose nurses if \u201cwe advise\u201d \u201cthey have to get these immunisations\u201d because they are \u201cexpensive and can take time to get results back\u201d.<\/p>\n In an email<\/a>, Mr Hughes also raised concerns that 168 workers who completed e-learning courses on \u201cinfection control\u201d and patient \u201csafeguarding\u201d had no levels on their certificates.<\/p>\n He also told chiefs how four overseas workers had not handed over criminal records checks and insisted H1 should have carried out checks.<\/p>\n The firm \u2014 whose parent<\/a> company posted a \u00a315.5million turnover and gross profits of \u00a33million last year \u2014 went on to fail<\/a> an audit late last year.<\/p>\n A whistleblower shared Mr Hughes\u2019 email with health chiefs who care for a combined three million people.<\/p>\n Last night NHS Lanarkshire was assessing \u201cany potential risks\u201d while NHS Grampian was probing \u201cconcerns\u201d.<\/p>\n NHS Fife chiefs were confirmed to be checking on \u201ccertification of nursing staff\u201d supplied by the firm.<\/p>\n A spokesman added: \u201cWe have sought clarity from H1 Healthcare regarding these allegations and have suspended use of the agency while these claims are fully investigated.\u201d <\/p>\n It emerged chiefs in NHS Lothian and NHS Ayrshire and Arran both previously used the agency.<\/p>\n Last night Tory shadow health secretary Dr Gulhane called for Health Secretary Neil Gray to act. He said: \u201cIt\u2019s terrifying that unscreened staff may have been allowed anywhere near patients.<\/p>\n \u201cThis reckless failure could have put the most vulnerable people, including children<\/a>, at risk of potentially serious harm.<\/p>\n \u201cNeil Gray must guarantee he will urgently investigate to ensure that this serious issue never happens again.\u201d<\/p>\n The firm\u2019s spokesman said: \u201cH1 Healthcare is co-operating fully and is confident the investigation<\/a> will confirm there are no patient safety concerns.\u201d<\/p>\n Procurement body<\/a> NHS National Services Scotland<\/a> said: \u201cNSS has been made aware of concerns regarding the supply of agency nursing staff from H1 Healthcare and are collaborating with health boards to assist ongoing inquiries.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Nurse](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bwjtyy-inventory-surgery-materials-taken-993045432.jpg\")
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