FAQs - Work in the independent sector
Last updated: 1 March 2010
Questions on this page
- 1. I am a doctor working solely in private practice in the UK. How can I revalidate?
- 2. I work in both the NHS and private sector. How will I revalidate?
- 3. I am not a member of any Royal College or Faculty. How will I revalidate?
More information can be found on our revalidation page.
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1. I am a doctor working solely in private practice in the UK. How can I revalidate?
The requirements for your revalidation will be the same, regardless of whether you are working in the NHS or in the independent sector.
You will need to participate in a process of annual appraisal within your workplace. As part of that appraisal process, you will need to show that you are complying with the standards and information requirements specified by the College or Faculty for the specialty. For advice about appraisal in the independent sector you might find it helpful to contact the Independent Healthcare Advisory Services (opens in a new window) or the Independent Doctors' Federation (opens in a new window).
You will also need to link to a Responsible Officer within the main organisation within which you are working who will make a recommendation to the GMC regarding your revalidation. Most large independent sector providers will have their own Responsible Officers.
We recognise that some doctors in private practice do not work in managed organisations that appoint Responsible Officers. However, there are likely to be a small number of other organisations (including the Independent Doctors Federation, the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine and the Faculty of Public Health Medicine) that expect to able to provide Responsible Officer facilities for their members.
2. I work in both the NHS and private sector. How will I revalidate?
The arrangements will be the same for you as for other doctors. You will need to participate in annual appraisal in the workplace and show that you are meeting the specific standards relevant to your specialty.
Because your practice spans both the NHS and the independent sector your revalidation will need to take account of your work in both sectors. Your appraisal will take place in the sector where you do the majority of your work.
Work is currently being undertaken through the Independent Healthcare Advisory Services (opens in new window) to ensure that doctors with both NHS and independent sector commitments can benefit from whole practice appraisal.
3. I am not a member of any Royal College or Faculty. How will I revalidate?
Even though you are not a member of a medical Royal College or Faculty you will still be able to revalidate. The College/Faculty will be able to assist you in meeting the requirements for revalidation, for example through Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Some Faculties may also provide appraisal facilities for doctors in their specialty who do not have access to workplace appraisal. Colleges and Faculties may charge non-members a fee for using their facilities.