A new safety system is being introduced in Oxfordshire to vet stand-in GPs before they work with patients in the area.

The scheme will stop doctors who could be a danger to patients, like rapist Dr Peter de Bruijn, from working.

De Bruijn worked in different GP practices around Oxfordshire for three years, before medical staff discovered he had been convicted of sexual offences in his home country of Holland.

The new regulations will prevent a similar case from occurring because temporary GPs will not be allowed to practice unless they are registered on a special locum list.

To be added to the list, they will have to declare any legal convictions, bindings-over or cautions, and supply two up-to-date references from previous employers.

NHS managers will be able to refuse to admit GPs if appropriate and will be banned from admitting doctors in certain cases, such as those convicted of murder or rape.

Dr John Derry, Oxfordshire's primary care medical advisor, said: "This will absolutely prevent doctors like de Bruijn working. It's very much a good thing.

"It used to be down to individual practices who they employed and there was no real strong controls in place. Previously, it was difficult to keep track of locums."

"The most important thing is to make sure that patients are not put at risk."

Before the new system was launched this month, most GPs were employed after their registration was checked with the General Medical Council, or a foreign country's equivalent.

References were also a necessity, but doctors could list referees who had not worked with them for years.

Although Dr de Bruijn had been convicted of rape and other sexual offences, he was still registered with the regulatory body in Holland and therefore able to work in Oxfordshire.

It was only after staff at the Deer Park Surgery, in Witney, made enquiries with clinicians who had worked with him more recently, that they discovered his past.

Birmingham Crown Court found him guilty of obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception, and following his term in prison he was extradited to Holland, where he is currently serving a jail sentence for his rape convictions.