What is a pre-employment health assessment?
A pre-employment health assessment confirms whether a candidate is medically fit for the specific role they have been offered, and flags any reasonable adjustments that would help them work well. It takes place after a conditional job offer, never before.
It is not a pass-or-fail test, and not a general health check. Our clinicians assess fitness against the demands of the job, so you meet your duty of care from day one.
Because we assess against the specific role, the same condition might be no issue for one job and need a small adjustment for another.
Meet the clinical team →From offer to first day
A questionnaire first, a clinical review only where needed, then a written fitness statement.
Conditional offer & questionnaire
You make the employment offer; the candidate completes an online health questionnaire, reviewed by a qualified OH clinician.
Clinical review, if needed
Most candidates are cleared on the questionnaire alone. For safety-critical roles, or where something needs a closer look, we arrange a clinical assessment.
Fitness statement
You receive a clear fit-to-work statement with any recommended adjustments.
Results within 72 hours of assessmentWhat we assess
Each assessment is scaled to the demands of the role, from a questionnaire review to a full clinical examination.
- Health questionnaire reviewed by a qualified clinician
- Declared conditions considered against the role's real demands
- Any reasonable adjustments identified and explained
- A written fitness statement, usually within 72 hours
drivers, working at height, offshore, healthcare and similar
- Everything in a standard assessment, plus:
- Face-to-face clinical examination where required
- Role-specific health standards applied (e.g. DVLA, OEUK, working at height)
- Baseline measurements to support ongoing health surveillance
Healthcare and clinical roles
Clinical roles carry extra requirements under UKHSA's health-clearance guidance. Alongside the assessment above, we review immunisation and vaccination status and, for roles involving exposure-prone procedures, arrange the additional bloodborne-virus clearance the standard calls for. Any vaccinations needed can be arranged with us.
Pre-employment FAQs
The questions HR teams and candidates ask most.
After a conditional job offer. Under the Equality Act 2010, health questions are limited before an offer is made, so the assessment follows the offer and focuses on fitness for the specific role.
Only where a condition prevents the candidate from doing the essential parts of the role, even with reasonable adjustments, and that is a decision for you, ideally with HR or legal input. Our report gives you the clinical basis for a fair decision.
No. A DBS check covers criminal records; a pre-employment health assessment covers fitness for the role. They are separate processes, and many employers use both.
The questionnaire is reviewed and the outcome returned within 72 hours. Where an appointment is needed, it is offered within five working days.
Yes. Most questionnaires are completed online and reviewed remotely. Where a face-to-face examination is needed, it can take place at our Surrey clinic or at your premises.
A short, confidential online questionnaire, occasionally followed by a brief conversation or examination. It is not a test to pass or fail; it is there to make sure the role is a safe fit and to flag any support that would help.
For roles with ongoing exposure monitoring, yes. The assessment can establish the baseline that future health surveillance is measured against.
Related services
Pre-employment screening often works alongside these:
Health surveillance
Statutory monitoring for roles exposed to noise, dust, vibration and other workplace hazards.
Learn more →Management referrals
Independent, work-focused advice on fitness, adjustments and return to work once someone is in post.
Learn more →Drug & alcohol testing
Pre-employment, random and post-incident testing for regulated environments.
Learn more →This page is general information for employers and is not individual medical or legal advice.
Set up pre-employment assessments
Talk to our team about setting up pre-employment assessments for your organisation. We answer enquiries within 3 working hours.