§ Baroness Knight of Collingtreeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What tests for HIV infection are routinely carried out on personnel from overseas coming to Britain for employment in the nursing profession or in care work. [HL4569]
§ Lord WarnerApplicants 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 for Health, in June 2002,
Following the recommendations made by an expert working group the Government have been consulting the professions and patient organisations regarding the introduction of additional health clearance for serious communicable diseases.