Healthcare Recruitment Agency in Derry/Londonderry
Healthcare Staffing in Derry / Londonderry
Leadcare Recruitment is a nurse-led healthcare recruitment agency founded originally as a Nursing Agency in Derry/Londonderry in 2020, with our head office in the city and a second office in Belfast. We connect registered nurses, locum doctors, healthcare assistants and support workers with flexible opportunities across Derry/Londonderry, the North West and Northern Ireland.
Healthcare Recruitment Services in Derry/Londonderry
As a Tier 1 Approved Supplier to all five HSCNI Trusts, we supply agency nurses and locum doctors to Health and Social Care services, including Western Health and Social Care Trust. We also support private healthcare providers, care homes and supported living services across the North West, with HCA and support worker opportunities focused on private care settings.
Leadcare was established in Derry/Londonderry by healthcare professionals with nursing backgrounds, and our recruitment, compliance, bookings and payroll teams are still based at our head office in the city. Whether you’re looking for flexible work or reliable healthcare staff, you deal with a local team, with 24/7 booking assistance.
Leadcare Recruitment is a Tier 1 Approved Supplier on the HSCNI Medical and Dental Agency Framework, supporting locum doctor requirements across all five Trusts, including Western Health and Social Care Trust services in Derry/Londonderry, Omagh and Enniskillen.
We recruit doctors from FY2/SHO through Registrar, Specialty Doctor/SAS and Consultant level. Depending on current vacancies, opportunities include ad hoc shifts, nights, weekends and full rota assignments.
Looking for flexible agency nursing work in Derry/Londonderry? Leadcare Recruitment offers opportunities for registered nurses across HSCNI services, private healthcare and nursing homes in the city and the wider North West, subject to current vacancies.
We recruit general, mental health and specialist nurses, matching opportunities to your NMC registration, clinical experience and availability. Choose suitable shifts with weekly pay, support from our Derry/Londonderry-based recruitment and compliance teams, and access to the Leadcare App.
Join Leadcare for flexible HCA and support worker opportunities in private care homes, supported living services and appropriate independent care settings across Derry/Londonderry, Strabane, Limavady and the surrounding area.
Applicants need at least six months’ relevant paid care experience and must complete the registration and compliance requirements for their role, including NISCC registration where required, AccessNI and mandatory training.
Where We Work in Derry/Londonderry
Leadcare supports agency nursing and locum doctor opportunities across Western Health and Social Care Trust, subject to current vacancies and role requirements. Western Trust sites in Derry/Londonderry include:
- Altnagelvin Area Hospital
- Waterside Hospital
- Grangewood Hospital
- Lakeview Hospital
Opportunities can also arise across wider Western Trust services, including South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen, Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex, and community services in Strabane and Limavady.
We also supply healthcare staff to private healthcare providers, nursing and residential care homes, and supported living services across Derry/Londonderry and the North West. HCA and support worker opportunities are focused on private care settings.
Available placements depend on your profession, experience, compliance status and current staffing requirements.
Why Healthcare Professionals Choose Leadcare
Healthcare professionals registering with Leadcare have access to opportunities across Derry/Londonderry and throughout Northern Ireland, supported by a recruitment and compliance team based at our head office in the city.
Fast-Track Registration
Apply online and our recruitment team will guide you through registration. Fast-track registration may be available if you already have the required documents, training and clearances. Timescales depend on your role and completion of all compliance checks.
Weekly Pay
Payment is made weekly through Leadcare payroll, normally every Friday, subject to timesheets being submitted and approved by the payroll deadline. Your pay rate is confirmed before you accept a shift.
Leadcare App
Receive shift notifications, manage your availability, and accept shifts directly from your phone. The app shows available shifts across Derry/Londonderry and Northern Ireland in real time.
Dedicated Compliance Support
A named compliance officer manages your file and tracks mandatory training renewal dates, NMC/GMC/NISCC registration renewals, AccessNI recheck timelines, and occupational health updates — keeping your file active without you having to chase paperwork.
Northern Ireland-Based Teams
Our bookings and compliance teams are based at our head office in Derry/Londonderry. You speak to people who know the local HSC Trust structure, RQIA registration requirements, and the care home landscape across the North West.
24/7 Local Support
Our booking line operates around the clock. Whether you need a shift at short notice or have a query about a placement, you reach our Northern Ireland team directly.
HSCNI Tier 1 Approved Supplier
Tier 1 Approved Supplier status across all five HSCNI Trusts for agency nurses and locum doctors.
Flexible Working
You choose which shifts to accept and can set your availability through the Leadcare Recruitment app. Once registered, we recommend working at least one shift per month with Leadcare.
Public & Private Opportunities
Agency nurses and locum doctors can access suitable HSCNI opportunities. We also supply staff to private healthcare providers, with HCA and support worker opportunities focused on private care settings.
Rather than operating solely in Derry/Londonderry, Leadcare’s team supports healthcare professionals across Northern Ireland, giving registered workers access to opportunities across multiple Trust regions and private healthcare providers. Our Leadcare Training Academy also delivers mandatory and practical training from our Derry/Londonderry base. We also have dedicated pages for Belfast, Antrim, Enniskillen and Omagh.
Leadcare is RQIA regulated, nurse-led, and Highly Commended for Nursing Agency of the Year at the Nursing & Care Awards 2026. Our recruitment, compliance and booking teams are all based in Northern Ireland, giving healthcare professionals and clients a genuinely local point of contact.
Healthcare Staffing for Derry/Londonderry Providers
Need healthcare staff for your service? Leadcare Recruitment supports hospitals, private healthcare providers, nursing and residential care homes, and supported living services across Derry/Londonderry, Strabane, Limavady, Omagh and the wider North West.
We supply registered nurses and locum doctors to HSCNI services, alongside staffing for private healthcare and care providers. Healthcare assistants and support workers are supplied to appropriate private care settings.
Leadcare is an approved framework supplier to all five HSCNI Trusts. Bookings remain subject to the relevant Trust’s framework arrangements and placement requirements.
Planned and Ongoing Cover
Our bookings team works with you to understand your staffing requirements, shift patterns and the experience your service needs. Wherever possible, we help build a regular pool of suitable staff who know your setting.
Urgent and Short-Notice Cover
For unexpected absences or urgent staffing requirements, contact our booking team directly. We’ll check the availability of suitable, compliant staff and keep you updated on the cover we can provide.
Compliance and Clinical Oversight
As a nurse-led, RQIA-regulated agency, we verify NMC, GMC or NISCC registration where required, alongside the compliance checks applicable to the role and placement, before confirming a booking. We do not send staff without confirming their file is current for the specific placement.
Dedicated Account Support
You have a named point of contact for your facility who understands your staffing patterns, your RQIA compliance requirements and the grades or specialties you need most often. Our Northern Ireland team provides ongoing booking support, with 24/7 assistance for urgent staffing queries.
Pay Rates for Healthcare Jobs in Derry/Londonderry
Leadcare Recruitment offers competitive hourly pay for agency nurses, locum doctors, healthcare assistants and support workers across Derry/Londonderry and the North West.
| Profession | Grade / Role | Indicative Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Assistant | HCA | Care Assistant / Support Worker | £14.50 – £25.00 |
| Nurse | Registered Nurse (RGN, RMN, all grades) | £27.00 – £42.00 |
| Locum Doctor | FY2 / SHO | £40.00 – £60.00 |
| Locum Doctor | CT / Registrar / Speciality Doctor | £50.00 – £70.00 |
| Locum Doctor | SAS Doctor / Consultant | £80.00 – £120.00 |
Rates vary by role, grade, healthcare setting and shift type. Your applicable rate is confirmed before you accept a shift or assignment.
Get paid weekly, with our recruitment team available to discuss current opportunities and the rates available for your role.
How to Join Leadcare Recruitment
1. Apply Online
Complete our nurse, doctor or healthcare assistant application form. Our recruitment team will contact you to discuss your experience, preferred locations and availability.
2. Complete Your Registration
We’ll guide you through the documents and checks required for your role, including professional registration, right to work, AccessNI, references, occupational health and mandatory training.
- NMC, GMC or NISCC registration, where required for your role.
- Enhanced AccessNI disclosure
- Mandatory training certificates
- Photo identification
- Right-to-work documentation
- Occupational health / fitness-to-work documentation
- Professional references
- Relevant employment and experience history
3. Get Ready for Work
Our team will help you complete any outstanding requirements and explain how to download and use the Leadcare App.
4. Start Receiving Opportunities
Once your registration and compliance checks are complete, you can be considered for suitable shifts and assignments across Derry/Londonderry and Northern Ireland.
Registration times depend on your role, how quickly documents are provided and completion of the required checks. Fast-track registration may be available if you already have the necessary documents and clearances.
Don't have much time but want to get started quickly?
Complete our Fast-Track Application and upload a copy of your CV. A member of our Derry/Londonderry-based Recruitment Team will be in touch to guide you through the process and help you secure shifts across Derry/Londonderry and Northern Ireland as quickly as possible.
Feedback From Healthcare Professionals and Clients
Experience has been fantastic. Everyone is helpful and professional. Thanks for everything.
Caolan
- Nurse
Documentation is consistently completed to a high standard and any issues are dealt with promptly and professionally.
Mark
The service and support from the booking team has been excellent. They work tirelessly to organise shifts quickly and always respond promptly to queries.
loreen. s
- Nurse
Leadcare’s care assistants are professional, well-trained, and consistently provide outstanding care.
Fiona
A fantastic agency to work for! I can choose shifts that suit me, and the team genuinely cares about my well-being
emma. t
- HCA
Everyone at Leadcare is lovely and keen to help. There is great availability of shifts across a wide range of areas. a great place to work for — I cannot recommend them enough.
naomi.mc
- Nurse
Excellent communication and reliable shifts every week. Highly recommend reliable shifts and communication homepage or healthcare staff recruitment page working with Leadcare.
faye.j
- HCA
Thank you to the Leadcare team for their support. Leadcare is one of the trust’s main nursing suppliers we value the working relationship we have developed.
Christine
The staff supplied by leadcare are highly skilled, professional and consistently deliver excellent care. their presentation and professionalism help build confidence with residents and families alike.
Brenda
The nurses from Leadcare are highly skilled and professional. They consistently deliver excellent care, always wearing their uniforms and ID badges, which enhances their professionalism and ensures patient confidence.
Fiona
The booking team at Leadcare is always prompt, polite, and attentive to our needs.
Maeve
Leadcare is a great agency for booking shifts and meeting your needs. I would definitely recommend them to anyone needing flexibility in shifts
natoya.m
- Nurse
Working in private healthcare settings such as residential homes has been incredibly rewarding. Leadcare always ensures I have the right placements that match my skills and passion for care.
tom. w
- HCA
Always reliable and fast-acting for shifts – excellent agency. I highly
recommend.
Mark
Weekly pay, good pay rates & lots of shifts to choose from , highly recommeded
louise. d
- HCA
Emergency and Short-Notice Staffing in Derry/Londonderry
Need cover at short notice in Derry/Londonderry? Call our 24/7 bookings line on 028 7187 6515. No portal or form required: our team contacts available, compliant staff straight away and confirms the cover we can provide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Healthcare Recruitment in Derry/Londonderry
What experience do I need for agency healthcare work in Derry/Londonderry?
Nurses need active NMC registration and at least six months’ relevant UK or Northern Ireland nursing experience. Healthcare assistants and support workers need at least six months’ relevant paid care experience and NISCC registration where required. Doctors need GMC registration with a licence to practise and at least six months’ relevant NHS, HSCNI or HSE experience. Additional requirements depend on the role and placement.
What compliance checks do healthcare professionals complete before working with Leadcare?
Checks include identity and right to work, professional registration where required, enhanced AccessNI, professional references, relevant employment and experience checks, occupational health clearance and mandatory training. Our compliance team guides you through the process and confirms that the requirements for your role and placement are complete before you start working.
Can doctors working elsewhere in the UK register for Derry/Londonderry locum work?
Yes. Doctors working in England, Scotland or Wales can register for suitable locum opportunities in Derry/Londonderry, across the Western Trust and throughout Northern Ireland. Our medical recruitment team will guide you through the HSCNI compliance requirements, including access to required encompass training where applicable.
What are the pay arrangements for agency healthcare work in Derry/Londonderry?
Payment is made weekly through Leadcare payroll, normally every Friday, for shifts worked in the previous week, subject to timesheets being submitted and approved by the payroll deadline. Timesheets are submitted through the Leadcare App. Your pay rate is confirmed before you accept a shift.
Can I register with Leadcare if I live in County Donegal or elsewhere in the Republic of Ireland?
Yes. Leadcare welcomes applications from healthcare professionals based in County Donegal and elsewhere in the Republic of Ireland, provided you have the right to work in the UK and hold the relevant NMC, GMC or NISCC registration. Our compliance team at our Derry/Londonderry head office can advise on AccessNI and any additional documentation required, and you can set your availability and preferred locations through the Leadcare App.
Looking for Healthcare Work or Staff in Derry/Londonderry?
Whether you’re a healthcare professional looking for flexible opportunities or a provider needing staffing support, speak to the Leadcare Recruitment team at our Derry/Londonderry head office: North West Business Complex, Skeoge Industrial Park, Beraghmore Road, Derry/Londonderry BT48 8SE.