This document outlines the mandated occupational health checks NHS organisations are required to carry out for the appointment of prospective employees in the NHS. This standard is one of six documents which make up the NHS Employment Check Standards published in March 2008.
The NHS Employment Check Standards were further reviewed in July 2010 following consultation with key partners to assure their fitness for purpose.
If you have any queries which are not already covered under the frequently asked questions section below, please email employmentchecks@nhsemployers.org
Frequently asked questions
Q1. What does the Equality Act (2010) mean for occupational health checks?
Further amendment has been made to the 'Occupational health check' document to reflect changes under the Equalities Act (2010) which came into force from 1 October 2010 which now makes it illegal to ask an individual about their health status at the pre-employment stage. Additional information can be found on the Health, Work and Well-being pages of this website.
Q2. Who has responsibility for carrying out OH checks on GP registrars and salaried GPs – the practice or the PCT?
The PCT owes a duty of care to the patients and the wider public who are going to be seen and treated by the GPs who are on the performance list. There is also a second duty of care to the GP themselves to ensure that they are fit for the tasks they are being asked/allowed perform. Both these duties are covered by the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, also, GPs have a professional duty to ensure that they are fit to perform their duties as outlined in the GMC Good Medical Practice 2006 (see section ‘the meaning of fitness to practise and health) which you can download from the GMC website.