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Product sheet

Compliance in Practice:

Supporting safer, faster hiring
The 2025/26 PQS Safeguarding Standards
in General Practice

If you’re a pharmacist or work in a pharmacy, this update is for you. New
Unlock the true potential of your new hires with our all-in-one solution – it’s more than
rules mean that by 31 March 2026, you and your team must have completed
just document checking, it’s the key to happier and more successful staff from day one.
the right level of criminal record checks. It’s all part of making sure practices
stay safe and trusted places for everyone.

As the healthcare sector evolves to deliver more clinical services, the need for safe, compliant and efficient hiring has
never been greater. With the Pharmacy Quality Scheme (PQS) 2025/26 now in effect, pharmacy owners must ensure
that all registered pharmacy professionals have completed an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
What you need to do to stay compliant
within the last three years (between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2026) to support the safe provision of clinical services.
We understand that GP practices are very different from pharmacies, but the need to ensure your practice staff have
had relevant background checks is still vital.
1. Start DBS checks now for all relevant staff.
Candidate Verifier and Digital Identity is an all-in-one, government-certified employment background checking
2. Make sure checks are dated between 1 April 2023 and
solution for DBS and Criminal Record Checks that goes far beyond document vetting. You can trust Experian to
31 March 2026.
provide you with a comprehensive and fully compliant solution that is suitable for a wide range of candidates because
we understand the challenges you face as an employer in the current market. Our seamless journey is designed to
3. Keep records of completed checks.
be simple, convenient and hassle-free for you, your existing staff and your candidates; allowing you to create a better
experience, recruit at pace and reduce the risk of hiring and vetting.
4. Use a trusted DBS provider to make the process easier.
What is a DBS Check? Why choose Experian?

You’ll need to have this evidence ready for inspection by 31 March 2026, and
Candidate Verifier and Digital Identity is an all-in-one
A DBS check is a background screening process used
keep it on file for three years. background checking solution tailored for the Healthcare
in England and Wales to identify any relevant criminal
history spent or unspent of a candidate. There are four Sector. Whether you’re hiring GP’s, Practice Staff,
levels of DBS checks, with the Enhanced DBS check being Dispensary Staff or Pharmacists, our platform helps you:
the most comprehensive. It includes:
Meet PQS 2025/26 compliance with

DBS Checks are due by 31 March. To meet the deadline, submit your application
st
Spent and unspent convictions
Enhanced DBS checks

by 31st January. Apply early to avoid processing delays.
Cautions, reprimands, and warnings Reduce time to hire with real-time digital
identity verification
Relevant information held by local police
Improve candidate experience with a seamless,
Checks against the barred lists (if applicable) app-free journey

Experian is a DBS-approved Responsible Organisation, Minimise risk with a fully auditable,
conducting over 200,000 checks annually with full FCA-regulated process
compliance to the DBS Code of Practice.

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