Revalidation

The GMC has stated that the purpose of revalidation is ‘to assure patients and the public, employers and other healthcare professionals that licensed doctors are up to date and fit to practise’.

While the GMC sets the standards for revalidation, the medical royal colleges and faculties are responsible for defining the specialist requirements expected of a doctor practising in a particular specialty.

Revalidation for all doctors by 2015

Revalidation is due to start in late 2012. There will be a phased approach depending on the readiness of employing organisations, and all doctors will have been revalidated by 2015. All NHS trusts and other designated bodies employing doctors should now have a responsible officer in post, and ensure that they have systems in place to support doctors with revalidation.

Central to the revalidation process is a doctor’s annual appraisal over a five-year revalidation period. In order to revalidate, doctors must participate in effective annual medical appraisal and collate a portfolio of supporting information for appraisal that will satisfy the requirements of the GMC’s 'Good medical practice' (GMP) framework, and help to further a doctor’s professional development.

Revalidation is not a case of 'pass or fail', and the appraisal process should help doctors to effectively identify early stage areas for improvement within a structured approach to personal development.

The RCP is committed to providing a range of support to fellows and members going through the revalidation process, and this will include:

• guidance for physicians on supporting information for revalidation
• tools for gathering and storing supporting information
• specialty guidance and advice
• appraisal training
• ongoing lobbying on revalidation developments to ensure they meet the needs of physicians whilst being consistent with other medical specialties.