Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 73329 on NHS: Recruitment and with reference to the his Department's press release entitled NHS App overhaul will break down barriers to healthcare and reduce inequalities, published on 25 June 2025, if he will list the types of convictions that (a) will and (b) will not be eligible for the Widening Access Demonstrator programme.

The Department is unable to provide a list of convictions which would automatically prevent someone from being accepted on the Widening Access Demonstrator (WAD) programme as this depends on the role applied for, the nature and seriousness of the offence, and the safeguarding risks to patients and other colleagues. All National Health Service employers have well-established and robust employment checks in place, including Disclosure and Barring Service checks for eligible roles, to assess a person’s suitability and uphold the safety of patients and staff. Anyone seeking employment through the WAD programme is subject to these same rigorous processes.