§ Mr. ViggersTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what health screening tests are carried out on(a) existing NHS staff and (b) prospective recruits; and what are planned. [90188]
§ Mr. HuttonApplicants for work in the national health service are required to pass a number of pre-employment checks prior to receiving an unconditional offer of employment. These include verification of qualifications, identity, professional registration, criminal records and occupational health. Guidance on pre-employment checks was issued to NHS employers under the cover of a Direction for the Secretary of State, in June 2002.
Following the recommendations made by an expert working group the Government is currently consulting the professions and patient organisations regarding the introduction of additional health clearance for serious communicable diseases.