Revalidation is the process whereby, from 2012, all doctors who hold a licence to practice will have to demonstrate to the GMC that they are fit to practice, and are doing so in accordance with the relevant professional standards.

The Royal College of Physicians is supportive of the introduction of revalidation, as a means of achieving excellence for physicians and the highest quality of care for patients

The General Medical Council is responsible for the revalidation of doctors.

  • The RCP is working closely with the GMC and other key stakeholders to shape the process of revalidation for physicians.

Revalidation is the opportunity for doctors to demonstrate the quality of their practice in a structured appraisal process.  It will also enable those few individuals for whom additional support may be required to identify and address these needs. Three points we wanted to make clear:

  • The RCP is setting the standards that physicians will be required to meet, producing  comprehensive guidance for physicians, and providing tools to assist physicians to meet the requirements for appraisal and revalidation.
  • We will continue to consult with fellows and members, specialty associations and patient networks, to ensure that concerns and views are addressed.
  • The RCP will continue to offer guidance and support to fellows and members, appraisers and responsible officers, throughout the revalidation process.

In preparation for revalidation, the RCP recommends that Fellows and Members should:

  • undergo formal medical appraisal on an annual basis
  • participate in a colleague multi-source feedback questionnaire and a patient questionnaire at least once in a five-year period
  • maintain an up-to-date CPD diary that reflects the context and content of the full range of their practice
  • familiarise themselves with the developing physician specialty framework for appraisal and revalidation, and work with their employer to ensure that the required supporting information is available.