[davet]

My friend has been accepted for an NHS job she has been after for a long time. The only thing left is for her health check this week.

The thing is, we have just come back from a trip to Amsterdam, and we did all the usual touristy things...

Now a friend has told her that she will have to do a drugs test as part of health check and cannabis will be detected for up to 6 months. She hadn't heard anything about a drugs test before, we can't find any other mention of that happening and her friend isn't exactly the most reliable person but it's gotten her worried sick. I'd just like to hear if any knows if the NHS generally does this kind of thing to put her mind at ease.

(No really, I am asking for a friend!)

[marcusfox]

It's not part of the interview, but should you be accepted, as part of the health check, they will, yes.

If the job does not require such a check, for example, working in areas where there isn't a lot of patient contact, eg IT, administration, then there won't be this check.

[davet]

Thanks. Do you know for a fact that they will test for drugs if there is patient contact?

She is talking about giving up on the opportunity to take on the job she has wanted for years, because she is worried it will leave a permanent mark on her record and she'll never have a chance at a job with the NHS again. It's that serious.

[moonkatt]

No they don't.

[davet]

Thanks MoonKatt. I found a forum for nurses and asked there and they all said she won't be tested.