PVG Checks & Foundation Training Year Pharmacists

Published: 19/06/2025

Our colleagues at NES have asked us to the following message to employers of Foundation Training Year (FTY) Pharmacists.

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Are you a Foundation Training Year (FTY) employer for the 2025–26 training year?

Act now to ensure that pre-employment checks are completed in time for the July cohort start date!

As you may be aware, the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 came into effect on 1 April 2025, introducing changes to PVG Disclosure checks. Under the new legislation, a PVG check—updated to reflect the current employer—must be in place before employment begins. Further details can be found here: Implementing the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 – Disclosure Scotland.

Potential Impact on FTY Training

If any part of the pre-employment check is not completed in time for the July cohort start window (28 July – 1 August 2025), the trainee pharmacist will need to defer their training to the November cohort (start date 3 – 7 November 2025). This will impact eligibility for the GPhC common registration assessment and delay their first possible date of registration as a pharmacist. More information about pre-employment checks will have been shared by NES pharmacy recruitment. Please plan for all checks and PVG applications to be actioned as soon as possible to avoid any unnecessary delays.

If you anticipate any delays in pre-employment checks that could impact a trainee’s start date, please contact the NES FTY team at nes.ftypharmacy@nhs.scot as soon as possible.

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