GMC Revalidation Consultation 1 March – 4 June 2010

What is revalidation? Revalidation is about providing further assurance that all doctors with a licence are up to date and fit to practise Revalidation is about promoting public confidence in the profession, encouraging self reflection and professional development Revalidation will not involve a point-in-time assessment of a doctor’s knowledge and skills but will be based on a continuing evaluation of their practice in the context of their everyday working environment

What is revalidation? Revalidation will be based on local systems of annual appraisal over a five year period and will simply affirm periodically what has already been demonstrated through the appraisal process For most doctors it will not mean having to do new things or change the way they work The key is to enable greater assurance to be derived, as far as practicable, from existing professional activities that are worthwhile in themselves rather than new activities devised for the GMC’s purposes.

Why we are consulting We are consulting on how revalidation should be introduced and not whether it should be introduced We want frontline doctors, patients and all those involved or affected to help shape the proposals

How revalidation will work Section 1 of the consultation considers: Single revalidation process – rather than the twin processes of relicensing/recertification Collection and evaluation of information in the workplace through appraisal Situations when the Responsible Officer cannot make a positive recommendation How revalidation will work for doctors in non- standard roles, e.g. trainees.

What doctors, employers and contractors of doctors’ services will need to do Section 2 of the consultation considers: Ensuring consistency in appraisal through the Good Medical Practice Framework Specialty and general practice standards developed for appraisal How Continuing Professional Development will contribute to revalidation The responsibilities of employers and organisations that contract doctors’ services

Patient and public involvement in revalidation Section 3 of the consultation considers: The use of colleague and patient questionnaires in revalidation How the GMC can ensure they are used effectively and fairly Broader involvement of patients and the public in the revalidation process

How and when revalidation will be introduced Section 4 of the consultation considers: A managed and targeted approach to introducing revalidation across the UK Working in partnership with others – including UK Revalidation Programme Board & Delivery Boards How revalidation might be rolled out The need for organisational readiness

Revalidation – next steps The consultation is a first step Ongoing dialogue with doctors, employers, patients and the public Joint responsibility for ongoing programme of further work Revalidation will continue to evolve

Revalidation – next steps cont’d Consultation results to GMC Council and feedback to consultees autumn 2010 Implementation of Responsible Officers autumn 2010 Pathfinder projects and pilots spring 2010 – spring 2011 Developing comprehensive package of quality assurance measures with systems regulators

Ensuring that revalidation works Revalidation is being piloted to ensure that it works and that the proposals are proportionate and practicable No big bang introduction – phased approach to implementation Working closely with our partner organisations through the UK Revalidation Programme Board Revalidation is on its way, but we will introduce it gradually to ensure that it is effective and enduring

Revalidation – How to have your say GMC website: www.gmc-uk.org/thewayahead Email: thewayahead@gmc-uk.org Post: Revalidation Team, 2nd Floor, Regent’s Place, 350 Euston Road, London NW1 3JN Telephone: 020 7189 5280