Recruiters who supply staff to the NHS will be required to undertake new candidate vetting procedures from April.

Under new guidelines, recruiters will have to carry out face-to-face identity checks. In addition, the new pre-employment checks will cover: the right to work; professional registration and qualifications; employment history and references; criminal records; and occupational health.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) welcomed the new standards. However, Tom Hadley (pictured), director of external relations, called for flexibility to be built in to the new requirements for recruiters.

He said: "One specific concern for agencies is the impact that the face to face requirement will have on the recruitment of locum doctors who will often travel all over the country for specific placements."

Hadley added: "Recruiters in the medical sector are keen to come forward with positive solutions on meeting face to face requirements in a cost effective way. The REC will continue to engage positively with NHS Employers and NHS PASA (Purchasing & Supply Agency) on this issue to explore possible flexibilities such as enabling recognised third parties to conduct the face to face check."