1. GMC Revalidation Consultation 1 March – 4 June 2010

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Revalidation – How to have your say
GMC website:
Post: Revalidation Team, 2nd Floor, Regent’s Place, 350 Euston Road, London NW1 3JN
Telephone: