Do NHS job applications check for AI?
As of August 2025, NHS job application platforms (such as Trac and NHS Jobs) do not automatically check whether tools such as ChatGPT or Gemini have been used by candidates to write their applications. From speaking to NHS HR professionals, we understand that this is because there is no proven method for automatically detecting AI-generated applications.
Some NHS organisations do ask candidates to declare whether they have used AI tools to help them craft their supporting statement or application. However, declaring that you have used AI tools does not directly impact your application score.
Should I use AI to write my NHS job application?
The NHS Payscales team are experienced NHS hiring managers – we review thousands of job applications each year.
We believe that the majority of NHS job applications are now written using AI. The logic for candidates using AI is understandable; NHS job applications are notoriously long and complex, and using AI can turn a task that might take hours into the work of a few minutes.
Unfortunately, we feel that the reality is that too many applications rely on using AI with very little actual human input, damaging the quality of the application. Supporting statements created solely using AI tend to be easy to spot as they follow similar structures, lack compelling arguments for why the candidate wants the role, and talk about the job in a very generic sense.
More than anything else, if the hiring manager thinks you have used AI to generate your application or personal statement, they will probably think you are lazy and the type of person who tries to cut corners. It’s unlikely that is what they are looking for in their team!
By all means, use AI to proofread your application, or to research the role or organisation to inform your application – but our strong advice is not to rely on AI to do the actual writing.
Ready to take the next step in your career?
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