October

"Scottish employers must do more to make sure individuals with criminal convictions are not excluded from the jobs market, Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, Paul Wheelhouse, has urged. He warned those who have been through the justice system remain ""one of the most marginalised groups in our labour market and, in fact, our society"". Wheelhouse was speaking at a summit to coincide with the launch of a consultation on proposals to amend legislation governing the disclosure of offences by those with criminal convictions. Wheelhouse stressed there is a need for attitudes within society to change with those who have been through the justice system supported to be ""active responsible contributors to our communities""."

"A ""fake doctor"" was able to treat more than 3,000 patients thanks to ""extraordinary"" lapses in checks on locum medics working in the NHS, an investigation reveals.

When the man, who had some medical training, but was not allowed to work unsupervised, was struck off by the General Medical Council (GMC), he stole the identity of a real medic, and obtained work at another NHS trust. The head of the Commons Health Select Committee called for action to better safeguard the public and ensure that failing doctors are not able to ply their trade by simply moving from place to place. Patient safety experts said the case demonstrated that checks on locums are not robust enough to protect the public. The banned medic has pleaded guilty to 22 offences of deception, fraud and visa offences."

Since March, it has become an offence to drive while over a specified limit of drug use. This is similar to the drink driving laws and means police no longer need to show an impairment to driving due to drugs, simply that the driver is over the limit. Employers should ensure that any drivers who use a vehicle for work purposes are aware of this change to the law, and understand its implications. The offence carries a mandatory disqualification from driving and a maximum of six months' imprisonment. Such a controversial issue needs to be handled sensitively and many employers find it difficult to know what they can or should do when faced with an employee with a substance misuse problem.