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DBS: Who needs a DBS check?

Who Requires a DBS check?

General Dental Council

General Medical Council

General Pharmaceutical Council

Health and Care Professions Council

Nursing and Midwifery Council

      For more information, please see  DBS checks for CQC registration

GP mythbuster 2: Who should have a disclosure and barring service (DBS) check?

DBS requirements for Trainees in a Practice Placement

Foundation doctors (F2) in a GP placement

F2 doctors are employed by a hospital trust and have a DBS check at the start of their F2 year.. As they remain with the same employer, this DBS is sufficient for the duration of the F2 year. F2 doctors are exempt from requirement to be on the National Medical Performers List. The practice can ask to see trainees’ current DBS certificate.

F2 trainees are covered by crown indemnity as employees of the acute trust. However it is recommended that the trainee takes out individual “top up” indemnity cover with a defense organisation in addition to Crown indemnity provided by the acute trust.

 

ST1 and ST2 trainees in a GP placement

ST1 and ST2 trainees going into their first placement in a practice will be applying for the National Medical Performers List which is a requirement for any doctor working in a practice (except for F2 doctors). They will need to have an enhanced DBS with the online update subscription.

The trainee must apply for the NPL before they start in the practice and the practice manager should check that the trainee has done this as soon as they arrive in the practice together with checking that the trainee has appropriate medical defense cover for working in General Practice.

Trainees have a three month period of grace from the start of their placement for their application for the NMPL to be processed and this includes obtaining their DBS and online update if they do not already have one. The trainee can start work in a practice while their application for the NMPL is being processed (including the DBS check). The practice can ask to see the trainee’s previous DBS while a new check is being processed.

 

ST3 trainees in a GP placement

ST3 trainees will usually already be on the NMPL if they have had a previous GP placement in ST1 or ST2. GP trainees must maintain their subscription to the online DBS update service while they are on the NPL so that their employers and the Area Team can check their DBS status from time to time. If a trainee has allowed their annual subscription to the DBS update service to lapse, they will need a new DBS and will have to sign up again for the update service (this is funded by the trainee). If the ST3 trainee is already on the NMPL, they can start working in the practice while their DBS is being processed and the practice can ask to see the trainee’s previous DBS. The practice should also check that the trainee has appropriate medical defense cover for working in General Practice.

Risk Assessing Staff for a DBS check

Click here to view the Risk Assessment Tool

What Happens when Convictions are Disclosed?

In applying for job vacancies there maybe occasions when applicants disclose previous convictions. What do you do? Also, whilst the vast majority of DBS checks come back clear, there will be occasions when some will be returned showing convictions. Has the practice got anything in place to deal with such a scenario?
Essentially this will involve a risk assessment, however there are other factors that will also need to be looked at and considered.
Julie Meakin from The Vine Medical Group has developed a protocol and risk assessment template to deal with these issues. You may download and adapt for your practice should you wish to do so, with kind thanks to Julie.

Standard or Enhanced Check?

Click here for guidance on applying for a Standard or Enhanced DBS check

Are you Legally Entitled to ask for a DBS check?

Click here for guidance on the legal right to ask for a DBS check

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy Statement

Click here to view the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy Statement

 

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Updated on Sunday, 2 July 2023 21089 views