We have had a company in saying that its a 'legal requirement' for FLT operators to have checks in-line with the DVLA requirements for car, goods and bus drivers... have I missed something??

The company is trying to sell us occupational health services.

Andy

And they are quoting which regulation specifically?

You don't even need a full UK Driving licence to operate an FLT on private land

DVLA requirements for a car on the public highway don't extend much beyond eye sight - obviously restrictions for specific conditions/medications.

If they get through the door how many more spurious opportunities do you think they will then create?

The Occ health provider is probably referring to Para 52 & 53 of the ACoP and Guidance “Rider-operated lift trucks, Operator training and safe use”.  This indicates that health checks may be required for older flt drivers. http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l117.pdf ie: -

Guidance "52.  The Drivers’ Medical Unit at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) publishes At a glance: Guide to the current medical standards of fitness to drive. This is aimed at health professionals and applies to lift trucks on the road, but can be applied to all work with lift trucks. For most work with lift trucks, a standard of fitness equivalent to that for the Group 1 entitlement (ordinary driving licence holders) would be appropriate. Activities such as working in a particularly demanding environment, working at night or moving highly toxic or explosive materials would probably be more appropriate to the Group 2 entitlement (heavy goods vehicle licence holders).

53.  HSE is not prescriptive about the need for medical assessment for fitness to drive lift trucks and there is no legislation relating directly to this topic. However, you may choose to screen potential operators before placement and then follow the guidelines for Group 2 licences in At a glance which require medical examination every five years from age 45, and every year from age 65 (in line with licence renewal periods). Always seek medical advice where there is any doubt about a person’s fitness to operate a lift truck. "

As usual it is a matter of your risk assessment whether medical checks are required for your flt drivers.