I have received a response to the above post via email from a friend who is no longer allowed to make his own posts to the forum. However, as he is probably the most experienced Agency Biomed Tech in the UK, I feel that his comments are well worth displaying here (edited slightly for clarity):-
"You've summed it up well Geoff. I agree wholeheartedly with your opinion of the state of play.
It's certainly OK for a guy on PAYE, but the only snag there is waiting a month for your money, instead of weekly pay (as it would be through an Agent).
It makes what I used to do non-viable, though. I needed the expense cover (ie, using an "umbrella" company) for accommodation and travel to be able to work away in the week and return home at weekends.
It is a buyer's market, and yes the NHS EBME Manager would call the shots more. But on the plus side you might be accepted more as "One of the Guys", not the [censored] Agency Bod, [censored], [censored], whatever!! Ha, ha."
