Sir Richard Thompson, Royal College of Physicians president, welcomed the announcement by the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, that revalidation for doctors will start in December 2012:
I welcome the announcement of the Secretary of State that revalidation for doctors will start in December this year. Regular participation in the revalidation process will support physicians to develop and maintain the highest standards of care for their patients, and to achieve excellence in their professional lives.’
Although only a fifth of doctors will be revalidated between April 2013 and March 2014, and the rest on a rolling 5 year cycle, it is vital that all doctors begin preparing for revalidation by collecting their supporting information for their yearly appraisal and making themselves familiar with the process. To underpin and support physicians throughout the revalidation cycle, the RCP has produced specialty guidance for physicians on supporting information, which offers practical examples and enables physicians to understand the revalidation requirements in relation to their specialist practice. We also provide a range of resources to help fellows and members to prepare for revalidation, including an online revalidation portfolio.