1 in 5 UK healthcare candidates fail background checks
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — Recent data from Zinc, an automated global background check provider, revealed that one in five candidates applying to work in the UK’s healthcare sector are failing background checks, a significant rise from 10% in 2023.
This 20% increase comes as the healthcare industry is already grappling with severe staff shortages and growing pressure to fill essential positions.
Common background check failures
Healthcare employers are bound by Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulations to verify candidates’ professional qualifications and registrations. The most common background checks include:
- Criminal history (66%)
- References (60%)
- Address verification (59%)
- Right-to-work certification (56%)
However, only 9% of organizations check if candidates are on sanctions watchlists, 7% verify if applicants are involved in adverse media (7%), and none conduct social media background checks. These additional layers of vetting could help prevent unsuitable hires, ensuring both patient safety and staff well-being.
Impact on NHS staffing crisis
The National Health Service (NHS) is currently facing over 112,000 vacancies in England alone, including shortages of 40,100 nurses and 8,550 doctors. With one in five candidates failing background checks, this means over 22,000 individuals are delayed or blocked from entering the workforce.
This exacerbates the existing staffing crisis, making it harder for healthcare providers to meet patient care demands.
Luke Shipley, CEO and co-founder of Zinc, highlighted the urgency of addressing these challenges: “The healthcare industry is at a breaking point. “With an aging population fuelling demand, healthcare providers are desperately seeking qualified talent to deliver quality care.”
“But antiquated hiring and onboarding processes have left organizations struggling to vet, hire, and retain staff efficiently. The healthcare industry can’t afford to cut corners. The consequences of hiring the wrong people could be a matter of life and death,” he added.
Call to modernize HR practices
Shipley advocates for healthcare providers to adopt integrated HR technologies that can automate background checks and streamline hiring processes.
As the demand for healthcare services continues to grow due to an aging population, ensuring that only qualified and suitable candidates are hired remains essential for maintaining patient safety and care standards.
