Petition · past parliament · Department of Health and Social Care
Extend NHS Learning Support Fund to cover cost of ‘fitness to practise’ checks
Closed
125 signatures
What the petition asks
The government should extend the NHS Learning Support Fund to support those who can’t afford the compulsory documentation costs. To prove eligibility, students would provide evidence of their conditional offer(s), family/personal annual income and the exact cost of the documentation they need.
For healthcare courses in the UK, a DBS check and an Occupational Health form are required before starting the course. These combined can cost up to £200. Student loans and bursaries can’t be claimed until the course has begun meaning many students struggle to pay for the necessary documents. These forms often have to be completed within a month so there isn’t time to save up money. A bursary would prevent young people from being disadvantaged and discouraged in the application process.
Timeline
| 10 Sep 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 10 Mar 2021 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
125
Status
Closed
Department
Department of Health and Social Care
Opened
10 Sep 2020
Closed
10 Mar 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.