DBS Checks for NHS & Hospital Staff
All healthcare providers must legally complete DBS checks to comply with NHS and Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulations, and to ensure safety for patients and staff. They are also required for Security Industry Authority (SIA) licences in private security. Since 2015, Checks Direct has supported UK hospitals, clinics, and healthcare agencies with efficient DBS application processes to help them continually meet staffing requirements and regulatory standards.
Which NHS & hospital roles need a DBS check?
Most NHS & hospital roles that involve direct patient care or handling sensitive patient data will require a DBS check. Enhanced checks, including a check of the barred lists, are mandatory for roles with ‘regulated activities‘ involving children or vulnerable adults, ensuring their safety and well-being.
Other roles, such as those with access to patient data but limited patient contact, typically require a Standard DBS check. Failure to conduct the appropriate DBS check can put vulnerable individuals at risk of harm and have serious legal and regulatory consequences.
DBS checks for doctors & nurses
All NHS doctors and nurses require Enhanced DBS checks. Checks against the barred lists will be required for those working with children or vulnerable adults.
DBS checks for healthcare assistants
Healthcare assistants in the NHS require Enhanced DBS checks. HCAs in paediatrics require children's barred list checks, while those in adult care need Adults' Barred List checks.
DBS checks for dentists
Dentists and dental nurses require an Enhanced DBS check. Receptionists and administrators typically require Standard checks, and a Basic check is usually sufficient for cleaning staff.
DBS checks for NHS hospital receptionists & admin staff
For NHS hospital receptionists & admin staff, the required DBS check typically depends on their specific duties and level of interaction with patients and sensitive data.
DBS checks for NHS hospital cleaners & catering staff
Catering staff usually only require a Basic DBS check. As cleaning staff will usually have access to wards, they typically require a Standard DBS check as a minimum.
DBS checks for physiotherapists
As physiotherapy work brings practitioners into close proximity with patients, they are required to complete an Enhanced DBS check, with a check of barred lists if they work with children or vulnerable adults.
DBS checks for psychotherapists
Psychotherapists are required to complete Enhanced DBS and barring list checks, as they are in a position of trust and have unsupervised access to patients.
DBS checks for healthcare volunteers
The level of DBS check required for volunteers will depend on their access to patients and vulnerable individuals. In most cases an Enhanced DBS and barring list check is advisable.
What do DBS checks show?
There are three levels of DBS check required for roles across hospital and clinical settings. These include:
- Basic checks: Unspent Convictions, Conditional Cautions.
- Standard checks: Spent and Unspent Convictions, Cautions, Reprimands, Final Warnings.
- Enhanced checks: Spent and Unspent Convictions, Cautions, Reprimands, Final Warnings, any other information police deem to be relevant.
Support and administrative roles within healthcare environments typically require Standard or Basic DBS checks, depending on the duties they are expected to perform. Roles which involve regulated activities or unsupervised access to vulnerable individuals, require an Enhanced DBS check as standard. This check reveals the same data as a standard check, and any additional police information that is considered pertinent.
Barred Lists
Both paid and unpaid staff who are engaged in ‘regulated activities’ with vulnerable individuals will require a check against the barred lists. For example, people working in paediatrics or with access to children’s wards require a check against the Children’s Barred List, and anyone with access to vulnerable adults will have to be checked against the Adults’ Barred List.
Our DBS check process for healthcare staff
Our process is designed to be straightforward, accessible, and personalised. As an umbrella body of the DBS, we offer a reliable and efficient service that can be customised to meet the specific requirements of your healthcare facility.
Our accredited NHS DBS team is committed to exceeding your expectations. We provide personalised guidance at every stage, ensuring a seamless DBS check process and the highest level of protection for your healthcare environment.
You can set up an account in a matter of minutes
You can set up an account in a matter of minutes, submit applications on our user-friendly portal, and manage checks on your dashboard.
Submit applications on our user-friendly portal
Our expert team thoroughly reviews each application, verifying all information for accuracy and validity to maximise efficiency throughout the DBS check process.
Manage checks on your dashboard
You will be notified when the results are ready. Our fast turnaround provides confirmation of your checks and peace of mind.
What our clients say
NHS & hospital staff DBS check pricing
Our competitive pricing for DBS Checks ensures healthcare facilities can maintain the highest safety and compliance standards without straining budgets. We offer transparent, cost-effective rates with no hidden fees, enabling you to efficiently conduct all necessary checks for your staff.
Basic DBS checks
| No of Checks | Cost ex VAT | Cost inc VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Rate | £30.50 | £33.00 |
| 51 – 300 | £29.67 | £32.00 |
| 301 – 500 | £28.67 | £30.80 |
| 501 – 750 | £27.50 | £29.40 |
| 751 – 1000 | £26.17 | £27.80 |
| 1001+ | £24.25 | £25.50 |
Standard DBS checks
| No of Checks | Cost ex VAT | Cost inc VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Rate | £31.33 | £34.00 |
| 51 – 300 | £30.50 | £33.00 |
| 301 – 500 | £29.25 | £31.50 |
| 501 – 750 | £27.17 | £29.00 |
| 751 – 1000 | £25.08 | £26.50 |
| 1001+ | £23.42 | £24.50 |
Enhanced DBS checks
| No of Checks | Cost ex VAT | Cost inc VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Rate | £52.17 | £55.00 |
| 51 – 300 | £47.17 | £49.00 |
| 301 – 500 | £46.96 | £48.75 |
| 501 – 750 | £46.13 | £47.75 |
| 751 – 1000 | £44.04 | £45.25 |
| 1001+ | £43.00 | £44.00 |
Choosing Checks Direct for healthcare DBS checks
Our expertise ensures NHS hospitals and healthcare facilities meet their regulatory obligations while maintaining a safe and secure environment. We’re proud to have assisted nearly 5,000 satisfied clients, processing over 100,000 DBS and other background checks annually.
Our online services help you save time, money, and resources, while providing a range of other benefits tailored to the unique needs of the healthcare sector:
Patient safety & risk management
Implement thorough vetting practices to proactively protect patients, staff, and healthcare facilities from any potential risks or incidents of misconduct.
Service continuity
Meet your staffing needs quickly and efficiently with our fast-track vetting system, ensuring uninterrupted patient care and minimising any potential disruption to healthcare services.
Clinical governance
Gain complete peace of mind knowing that all background checks are conducted professionally and securely, fully adhering to NHS standards and best practices.
Public trust & NHS reputation
Build trust with patients, families, and regulatory bodies by maintaining transparent and reliable hiring processes that meet the highest recruitment standards.
Workforce efficiency
Improve staff retention by hiring the right healthcare professionals for the right roles, reducing turnover and associated costs while maintaining high-quality care.
NHS compliance
Receive expert guidance to perform the appropriate checks and ensure compliance with NHS Employers guidelines, CQC requirements, and other healthcare regulatory standards.
FAQs
DBS checks are accurate up to the point of issue and therefore healthcare institutions should request new checks periodically (typically every 1-3 years) or subscribe to the DBS Update Service. This allows employers to see if there have been any changes to a certificate.
The type of check required depends on the duties of the role within the NHS. For example, catering staff with no direct access only require a Basic check, whereas frontline medical staff typically require an Enhanced Check with barring lists checks.
While not strictly illegal for some roles, working in the healthcare sector without a DBS check is highly inadvisable. It’s the responsibility of both the employer and the employee to ensure the appropriate checks are in place to safeguard vulnerable individuals.
No, a DBS check is more general, while a barred list check is a specific component of an Enhanced DBS check. Standard and Basic DBS checks do not include barred list checks. A barred list check is required for people who work closely with children or vulnerable adults.
A DBS check and a CRB check are the same. In 2012 the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) merged under the Protection of Freedoms Act to form ‘The Disclosure and Barring Service’.
You can potentially hire staff to work in the healthcare sector with a criminal record, but it is highly dependent on the nature of the conviction, the specific role they’re applying for, and the policies of your individual provider.
Yes, Checks Direct offer quick and easy DBS check applications using our online portal. Simply register for an account and apply for the checks your business requires.
Apply for DBS checks for NHS & hospital staff online today
Keep your organisation and people safe with our independent and verified checks.
Related Services
Additional healthcare sector services include:
