Yes. The PCSE website states ” [As long as it can be ascertained via HEE or GMC website that the GP has completed their training]…there should be no reason why the trainee should not be permitted to practise independently whilst the administrative change in status is undertaken.”
The enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (previously known as the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)) can be requested by a GP practice to help assure them that an independent contractor – in this case, a GP locum – does not have a criminal record that would otherwise bar them from working as a GP in their practice.
Haven’t GP locums already had an enhanced DBS check?
Yes. All UK NHS Performers Lists require enhanced DBS checks; for GP locums. A GP locum’s registration on an NHS Performers List is proof of having had an enhanced DBS check.
Once on the Performers List, there is no requirement for a GP locum to have further DBS checks for the Performers List, as this is part of Performers List monitoring.
What level of DBS check does a GP need?
GP locums need to have an ‘enhanced’ DBS check, which is what you had when you joined the Performers List. This level of disclosure will also perform checks against both the Adult & Child barred list.
How can a GP locum get a DBS check for themselves?
If the practice engaging is insistent on you having had a more recent DBS check than the one you had for your Performers List (and NASGP finds this is often the case), NASGP has worked with cbscreening.co.uk, a DBS Registered Body, so that it is able to provide practices and GP locums with the DBS check they require. They are able to offer an easy online process to complete and submit your application. NASGP receives no monetary reward for this.
How much goes a DBS check cost a GP?
The enhanced level DBS is charged at £65.10 inc VAT.
How long does it take for a GP locum to get a DBS check?
The processing times for enhanced level checks vary, however, CBS average around 1 week or less to complete the enhanced level check.
To request a DBS check, please contact CBS using this form.
Join NASGP to access the form, or login to see it.
Once a GP locum completes an enhanced DBS check for one GP practice, can the DBS be used at other practices?
Yes. As a GP locum you can apply for the DBS Update Service within 30 days of your certificate having been issued, and then use this service for anywhere else they work.
Do GP locums need a DBS check if they’re on the Update Service?
No, GP locums are not likely to need to do another DBS check, assuming the one they subscribed to is the enhanced level with checks against both barred lists.
What does the CQC say about GP locums and DBS checks?
The CQC’s answer is clear that GP practices may use Performers List checks rather than additional DBS checks.
In their ‘GP mythbuster 2: Who should have a disclosure and barring service (DBS) check?’, the CQC says: “GPs should have had criminal records checks completed as part of their Performers List checks. In some cases, practices may use these checks rather than obtaining an additional DBS check when the GP begins working for the practice. If so the practice should be able to demonstrate they have suitable assurance from NHS England that an appropriate check has been completed.”
Related advice on CQC guidelines for GP locums:
CQC adds advice for practices engaging locum GPs
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In order to work as GP in a UK region/country, you need to be on its national Performers List (NPL), and so to get on one or more of these lists, you need to go through a three-step process for each area.
1 Join the GMC’s GP register
If you are applying to work as a GP (general practitioner or family physician) in the UK, as well as being licensed by the GMC, you’ll also need to be on the GMC’s GP Register.
2 Join one of the four UK Performers Lists
If you you’re not already working, state your “intent to work” on your Performers List application, outlining roughly how many sessions a week you plan to work from a particular date.
Wales
England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
From 1 June 2016 there has been a Scotland-wide standardised application process. GPs still apply to the relevant local health board (HB), but entry to one HB list also includes you on all other HB lists, so you can work across Scotland.
3 Join the NHS appraisal process
Your Area Team will assign you to a ‘designated body’, who’ll oversee your appraisal and subsequent revalidation.
Yes. It’s now a requirement of the Care Quality Commission CQC that every member of staff working in a GP practice has an up-to-date Hepatitis B status. The MPS have prepared a summary of why this is needed, as part of the CQC’s Cleanliness and infection control (Outcome 8, Regulation 12) “People are cared for in a clean environment, and are protected from acquiring infections”.
If you’re a chambers locum or are employed as an agency locum, they’ll no doubt otherwise notify every practice on your behalf. Otherwise it’s a sign of a well organised locum to provide this in advance of working.
If you’re employed by a practice as a salaried GP, you’ll be entitled to free immunisation status checks and boosters if they’re a good employer. As a locum, unless you can persuade a friendly practice, you’ll have to arrange this yourself with your own GP as a private service.
Added to this, the Green Book states:
Healthcare workers in the UK and overseas (including students and trainees): all healthcare workers who may have direct contact with patients’ blood, blood-stained body fluids or tissues, require vaccination. This includes any staff who are at risk of injury from blood contaminated sharp instruments, or of being deliberately injured or bitten by patients.
As a GP, if you’re exposed to continuing risk of infection, you should have a single booster dose of vaccine, once only, around five years after primary immunisation. Measurement of anti-HBs levels is not required either before or after this dose.
You might do. As a GP locum you hold all sorts of information – names and addresses of practices; other GPs; colleagues; educational centres etc.
What do you do with this data – do you market yourself? Is it just for invoices? Do you give your data to other GPs or practices?
It is possible that, as a small business, you may have to register under the Data Protection Act.
Whether you need to all depends on what you use your data for and, needless to say, isn’t straight forward. Fortunately, the Information Commissioner’s Office website has a series of simple questions to ask and, depending on your answers, will tell you whether you need to register or not (and what can happen if you don’t!).
See also
Information Commissioner’s Office
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is a standardised NHS training introduced under the 2022 Health and Care Act. It is named after Oliver McGowan, a man who had mild learning disability and autism whose death at 18 was ruled avoidable by an independent review.
GP learning disability training
There are no adult safeguarding standards for GPs under the Health and Social Care Act and the CQC does not have a list of mandatory training for members of the GP practice team.
However, contractors must ensure that staff are adequately trained in several topics including safeguarding adults and children.
GP locums may therefore benefit from meeting high standards for training including e.g. the Oliver McGowan training.
The BMA recommends that practices should ensure that they are not putting sessional GPs under pressure to duplicate training. For example if the GP can demonstrate that the content of the Oliver McGowan training has already been covered by past courses, then practices are recommended to accept that.
However, contractors must ensure that all staff, including locums, are adequately trained, so GP locums may benefit from meeting high standards for training including e.g. the Oliver McGowan training.
See also our FAQ on adult safeguarding.
You can also access the RCGP’s guide for autistic people, ‘Making the most of a visit to your GP’, here.
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