Fewer criminal record checks for trainees

24 September 2010

JUNIOR doctors will undergo fewer criminal record checks as part of a government cost-cutting drive.

Ministers have pledged a “more common sense approach” across the NHS, so that trainees are not checked repeatedly over a short space of time. The move is expected to save £1million a year and cut administrative burdens for the health service.

Junior doctors move jobs every six months as part of their training and currently undergo CRB checks each time.

The Department of Health has pledged to simplify the system by allowing existing CRB checks to be used. NHS employers will continue to require the normal references and other pre-employment checks that they should be undertaking in any case.

The idea to reduce checking was put forward by members of the public as part of the coalition government’s Spending Challenge which invited suggestions on how to slash the deficit.