Leadcare Recruitment Recognised at the Nursing & Care Awards 2026

Leadcare Recruitment is proud to have been awarded Highly Commended in the Nursing Agency of the Year category at the Nursing & Care Awards 2026.

This recognition highlights the quality of service we deliver as a healthcare agency in Northern Ireland and reflects the standards we continue to uphold across every candidate placement and client partnership.

Being Highly Commended at a national awards level reinforces what our candidates and clients already experience daily – a reliable, professional and people-focused healthcare staffing agency in NI committed to raising standards across healthcare recruitment.

Why Being Highly Commended Reflects Our Approach to Recruitment as a Healthcare Agency

This award reflects the way we operate every day as a leading healthcare recruitment agency.

From candidate care to client support, our processes are built around consistency, compliance and quality. Being Highly Commended confirms that our approach is making a real difference to healthcare staffing across Northern Ireland.

It also reinforces our commitment to providing trusted healthcare agency services in NI, where both healthcare professionals and healthcare providers can rely on us for quality and continuity. This is reflected in our position as a Tier 1 approved supplier to all HSCNI Trusts, meaning we can offer flexible, reliable placements to healthcare professionals all across Northern Ireland including in:

• Northern Health & Social Care Trust
• Western Health & Social Care Trust
• Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
• South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust
• Southern Health & Social Care Trust

As a nurse-led healthcare recruitment agency, we are truly proud to have been recognised as making a positive difference to the healthcare industry across Northern Ireland. Our founders said:

Stephen Ferguson, Managing Director

“Being recognised as Highly Commended in the Nursing Agency of the Year category is a fantastic achievement for Leadcare Recruitment. This award reflects the dedication of our nurses, healthcare assistants, doctors and internal team, who work tirelessly to support healthcare services across Northern Ireland. We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved and remain committed to delivering the highest standards of service to both our candidates and clients.”

Paul McLaughlin

“This recognition is a testament to the relationships we have built with our candidates, clients and healthcare partners. Our focus has always been on providing reliable, compliant and responsive staffing solutions, and it is rewarding to see that commitment recognised at  regional level.”

Supporting Nurses, HCAs and Doctors Behind This Award Recognition

The success behind this Highly Commended award comes directly from the healthcare professionals we work with every day.

We support:

• Registered Nurses
• Healthcare Assistants (HCAs)
• Doctors
• Support Workers
• Allied Healthcare Professionals

Each placement contributes to the standards that led to this recognition at the Nursing & Care Awards 2026.

As a healthcare recruitment agency, our focus is on ensuring every healthcare professional we place is supported, valued and matched appropriately to roles where they can deliver high-quality care, whether they be a nurse, doctor or healthcare assistant.

What It Means to Partner With an Award-Recognised Healthcare Recruitment Agency

For healthcare providers, working with an award-recognised healthcare staffing agency in NI means:

• Fast access to reliable, fully compliant healthcare staff across all HSCNI trusts
• Highly competitive rates, delivering excellent value for money for the high quality services we provide
• Confidence in an agency who values strict compliance with RQIA standards and NMC guidelines, reflected in our excellent inspection record for three years running
• 24/7 support from a dedicated booking team
• Stronger continuity of care across services

Our Highly Commended recognition at the Nursing & Care Awards 2026 demonstrates that our processes, standards and candidate care are not just internally driven – they are recognised across the wider healthcare sector.

This gives employers reassurance that they are partnering with a healthcare agency in Northern Ireland that delivers consistently high standards.

What It Means to Work for an Award-Recognised Healthcare Recruitment Agency

For nurses, doctors and HCAs seeking locum work opportunities, working with an award-recognised healthcare agency in Northern Ireland means:

• Competitive pay rates, with HCAs earning up to £25.00/hr, Nurses up to £42.00/hr, and Locum Doctors up to £120.00/hr
• Weekly payroll for fast, reliable and consistent income
• Access to a wide variety of flexible locum shifts across all HSCNI trusts
• Opportunities across multiple care settings including nursing homes, hospitals, community services and mental health services
• Access to ongoing in-house and external training and professional development, including BLS, Manual Handling and clinical refreshers
• Full support from a committed recruitment team with revalidation, appraisal and mandatory compliance requirements
• Support with professional registration, AccessNI and occupational health requirements
• 24/7 support with registration, compliance, shift bookings and career guidance
• Monthly staff rewards, recognition programmes and incentives
• Referral bonuses of up to £1,200 for recommending other healthcare professionals
• Access to the Leadcare App for managing shifts, availability and compliance documents easily

At Leadcare Recruitment, this award reinforces our commitment to creating a positive experience for every candidate we support – from first contact through to long-term placements.

What Makes Our Healthcare Recruitment Service Award-Worthy

The Nursing & Care Awards recognition highlights the core values that underpin our service as a trusted healthcare agency.

Consistency in Candidate Experience

Every healthcare professional receives the same high standard of support from our dedicated team of recruitment consultants.

Strong Compliance Standards

Our award recognition as well as our excellent RQIA inspection record for three consecutive years reflects our commitment to safe, fully compliant placements across all healthcare settings.

Long-Term Relationships

We build ongoing relationships with healthcare professionals and healthcare organisations, ensuring continuity of care and staffing stability.

Sector Expertise

Our background as a nurse-led healthcare recruitment agency gives us a deeper understanding of what it means to be a reliable healthcare recruitment agency, something that has contributed greatly to being Highly Commended as Nursing Agency of the Year for 2026.

Looking Ahead After the Nursing & Care Awards 2026

As the fastest-growing healthcare recruitment agency in Northern Ireland, our focus remains on improving healthcare staffing outcomes across all HSCNI trusts, strengthening relationships and continuing to raise standards in everything we do.

This award motivates us to continue delivering a trusted and responsive healthcare staffing agency service.

If you are a registered nurse, healthcare assistant or doctor looking for your next role or a provider seeking healthcare staffing support in Northern Ireland, Leadcare Recruitment is here to help.

Get in touch with us today by calling or emailing and one of our dedicated consultants will be happy to help.