Recruiters say the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA) has introduced an 'unwritten rule' barring locums who have not had a check for tuberculosis (TB) from working in the NHS.

Recruiter understands that PASA decided in March that all locums working through agencies must have immunity to TB and that since then it has been telling agents verbally to enforce this rule.

Such a move would discriminate against people who are unable or unwilling to have the specified BCG check, as well as overseas workers from countries like Australia where such tests are frowned upon.

One recruitment consultant said he had been repeatedly told by PASA that all locums would now need a BCG test to work within the NHS. But although he had repeatedly asked PASA to put the policy in writing and issue written guidelines, it had thus far refused to do so.

PASA's reluctance to publish these guidelines may be because they would go against Department of Health guidelines and those of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), recruiters say.

Officially the NHS says locums do not need a BCG check to work in the NHS.

Another recruiter also confirmed he had been told verbally by PASA that all locums now needed BCG checks and that as a result he had issued written guidelines to his offices, including his Australian office.

However, a spokesperson for PASA denied the allegations and said that if it had changed its policy it would have informed agencies in writing.

"NHS PASA has a number of framework agreements for different types of locums and other temporary staff," she said.

"When suppliers sign up to a framework agreement they are requested to sign a contract which states clearly what immunity is required, and the agreement is sent to the supplier as a paper copy.

"Therefore if you are referring to a framework which requires immunity from TB, the agencies will have had this information in writing and agreed to the terms and conditions."