Does anyone work in NHS HR / processing job applications?

[Mikikamp]

I applied for and got an NHS job just before lockdown happened. They asked me to email scans of my documents and DBS etc (due to lockdown), which I did.

That was six weeks ago and I haven't heard anything since. I did email them last week to ask if there was anything more they needed from me, but haven't heard back.

My DH thinks I should email the person who interviewed me to see if they can chase it up, but I don't want to bother them. I think the lockdown will mean that they're busy and have other priorities now (such as a recruiting for Covid posts, which mine isn't).

If anyone works in NHS HR can you confirm that this six week wait isn't unusual right now? Thank you.

I don't work in HR but did have to extend a contract for someone recently and it took ages! And that's was pretty straightforward.

I would badger them though - just send a polite email saying you wondered if was progressing and hope they are all well etc. We all know it would be annoying for us too and it's probably just fallen on someone's back burner!

I don't tend to be a badgerer in real life and don't want to annoy them if they already have lots of other things on their plate! But DH is concerned that they may retract the role as they haven't been in touch for about six weeks now.

So hard to know what to do!

NHS recruitment is very slow. I'm talking months. Could you email HR to see how it's progressing?

I don't work in HR but I know my trust have paused non-essential recruitment whilst they process additional bank staff etc. That should ease soon hopefully. I would email the person that interviewed you and say something along the lines of 'I know everything is being delayed right now, but are you able to give me a rough timescale of when I am likely to start?'

FWIW I think being slow is quite normal (they are often slow anyway!) and not a sign they are likely to retract the offer.

I don’t work in HR but do work for NHS and I’ve known it to take 5 months from interview to employee starting. In normal circumstances you’re looking at least 3 months for the trust I work for. They’re probably really understaffed at the moment. I wouldn’t worry they won’t have forgotten about you!

Do you need a DBS for your new role as this could slowing it up? Call the recruitment team for an update.