Frequently asked questions about the merger
The merger of PMETB with the GMC - creating a single regulator for medical education
Contents
1. Background on the merger
Why did the Government decide to merge PMETB with the GMC?
The decision, which was announced by the Secretary of State in February 2008, was taken in the light of a recommendation by Sir John Tooke in the report Aspiring to Excellence: Findings and Final Recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Modernising Medical Careers.
Sir John said in his report: ‘PMETB should be assimilated in a regulatory structure within the GMC that oversees the continuum of undergraduate and postgraduate medical education and training, continuing professional development, quality assurance and enhancement. The greater resources of the GMC would ensure that the improvements that are needed in postgraduate medical education will be achieved more swiftly and efficiently. To this end the assimilation should occur as quickly as possible.’
What benefits will the merger bring?
The merger will deliver a number of practical benefits. They include:
- a clearer and simpler regulatory framework for those who are subject to regulation
- with all stages of education and training under the GMC’s roof, there will be a single point of contact for trainees, the NHS and others including the medical Royal Colleges
- a broader cost base to support the regulatory system
- the opportunity for the regulation of education and training to benefit from the best practice of the two organisations through the merger
- education and training will be firmly embedded within a coherent framework that also includes the other regulatory functions of standards, registration and fitness to practise.
How was the merger of PMETB with the GMC funded?
The Department of Health (England) agreed to meet the costs associated with the merger to achieve the benefits set out in Sir John Tooke’s “Aspiring to Excellence” report. Fees collected from doctors and trainee doctors have not been used to fund the merger.
The Department of Health (England) approved a Business Case for the merger.
Was an Act of Parliament required to enable the merger?
No. The merger was effected through a Section 60 Order, a legislative device that is quicker and more straightforward than an Act of Parliament. Both the Westminster and Scottish Parliaments debated the Order and there were discussions with the administrations in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Consultation in 2009 revealed overwhelming support for the merger among key interest groups. PMETB’s powers were transferred to the GMC on 1 April 2010.
How will the work that was previously undertaken by PMETB change?
In the short-term there will be little change to the way PMETB’s functions are delivered by the GMC. In the run up to the merger we worked closely with colleagues at PMETB to plan how the benefits of the merger could be secured.
To minimise disruption the approach to the merger was to harness and integrate the work of PMETB by adopting a ‘lift and shift’ approach wherever possible. The majority of PMETB staff have transferred to the GMC, providing a level of continuity, and a number of senior PMETB staff have also taken up positions as advisers to the GMC to ensure a smooth transition of functions.
Our aim is to realise the benefits of the merger in full and make the most of the opportunity to streamline operations, whilst continuing to provide the same or a better level of service following the merger.
What happens to the Postgraduate Board?
The PMETB Board ceased to operate on 1 April 2010. Its existing powers and responsibilities have been transferred to the GMC. PMETB’s Chairman, Stuart Macpherson and John Smith, PMETB’s Chair of the Assessment Committee and Surveys Working Group, have both joined the postgraduate board at the GMC.
The GMC has established three Boards:
- Undergraduate Board
- Postgraduate Board
- Continued practice Board
The purpose of the Boards is to enhance the GMC’s ability to protect, promote and maintain the health and safety of the public by coordinating the GMCs’ four regulatory functions as they apply throughout each of the main stages of a doctor’s career (ie. all four GMC functions). More information on the governance provided by the three boards can be found in the Three Boards section of the website.
Who are now the key contacts for specialty including GP training at the GMC?
The GMC Contact Centre on 0161 923 6602 (from outside the UK: +44 161 923 6602), will be able to answer your query or redirect you to the appropriate contact within the GMC.
Where can I find information that was on the PMETB website?
The content on the PMETB website has been integrated into the relevant sections of the GMC website and can be found by following these links:
Quality
Surveys
Standards and requirements
Publications
Archived PMETB materials
What happens to the PMETB publications?
PMETB documents that continue to apply have been reviewed and where necessary updated to reflect the merger. These publications are available in the Postgraduate publications section.
What happens to PMETB partners?
PMETB’s 350 specialist, trainee and lay partners have been asked to continue to participate in the Partners’ programme at the GMC. A newly trained group of Lead Partners, including ex-PMETB board members, will chair panels. The Partner Services team is currently arranging Certification and Quality panels and visits to deaneries up to 2011. For more information please email partners@gmc-uk.org.
How does the merger affect the work of the Royal Colleges and Faculties?
Royal Colleges and Faculties will continue to liaise with the Curriculum and Evaluation team, who have moved to the Education Department at GMC, regarding any issues relating to Curricula and Assessment Systems.
The Annual Specialty reports will continue to be received by the GMC to the published timescales set out in the Operational Guide. The commitment of the Colleges and Faculties to these processes will continue to be very important as a key source of evidence in assuring the quality of specialty including GP training.
Procedures shall remain the same for all areas of Curriculum and Evaluation and consequently this relationship between regulator and Royal Colleges, Colleges and Faculties will not change.
2. Certification
Certification is now undertaken by the Registration Directorate at the GMC.
Will equivalence certification routes still be offered by the GMC?
Yes. The new legislation that transferred PMETB’s regulatory responsibilities to the GMC includes provision for all of the certificates that PMETB issued, including:
- Award of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT);
- Applications for inclusion on the General Practitioner or Specialist Register; and
- Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) and Certificate of Eligibility for General Practice Registration (CEGPR)
- Certificates of acquired rights.
The processes and procedure that PMETB used have been carried over to the GMC and the transfer of PMETB staff also ensures continuity.
Will certification online continue?
Yes. Certification online continues.
What will happen to applications that were not processed before the merger took place?
All applications which were received by PMETB, but were not dealt with until after the merger, will be evaluated by the GMC against the same standards which were used by PMETB.
Where should CESR/CEGPR applications now be sent?
CCT, CESR and CEGPR certificates are now processed at the GMC’s office at 350 Euston Road, London NW1 3JN.
What will happen to the certification fees?
Fees for 2010/2011 have been fixed at 2009/2010 rates as per the table below.
| Description |
Fee payable 2009/2011
|
| CCT |
£885 |
| CESR/CEGPR (Articles 11 & 14) |
£1,905 |
| Certificate of GP acquired rights (Article 12) |
£275 |
| EU Directive certificates for trainees’ use in another European Member State (Article 19) |
£165 |
| Review/reapplication fee (CESR/CEGPR) |
£645 |
If my CESR/CEGPR application was turned down by PMETB prior to the merger how and when should I apply for a review of the decision or make a reapplication?
If you would like your decision to be reviewed you need to apply within three months of the date of that decision. Those seeking to reapply would normally do so within three years of their original application. Your application should be sent to the GMC at 350 Euston Road, London NW1 3JN.
Who should I contact for enquiries about my CESR/CEGPR application or about certification?
The GMC Contact Centre on 0161 923 6602 (from outside the UK: +44 161 923 6602), will be able to answer your query or redirect you to the appropriate contact within the GMC. Alternatively you can email certification@gmc-uk.org.
Who should I contact for enquiries about certification?
The GMC Contact Centre on 0161 923 6602 (from outside the UK: +44 161 923 6602), will be able to answer your query or redirect you to the appropriate contact within the GMC. Alternatively you can email certification@gmc-uk.org.
Registration and Certification Appeals Team
The Registration and Certification Appeals Team appoints appeal panels to adjudicate on appeals. The GMC will continue to provide impartial day-to-day information and support to all parties. The Registration and Appeals team can be emailed at certificationappeals@gmc-uk.org .
What will happen to an appeal if it was not reviewed before the merger took place?
Any appeals which were received by PMETB, but were not considered until after the merger, will be evaluated by a GMC Registration Appeals Panel.
Will the deadlines for lodging a Notice of Appeal change at the GMC?
Yes. There are new strict deadlines under the GMC rules for lodging a Notice of Appeal. The deadlines are:
- 28 days from the date of the GMC’s letter notifying the applicant the GMC’s decision; or
- within 28 days of the date of a failed review if the applicant chooses this option; or
- within 28 days of the applicant not having received a decision within the requisite period.
Under GMC Appeals Rule 6(1) the applicant will have a further 56 days to submit appeal papers to the GMC’s Registration and Certification Appeals Team, which should comprise copies of the documents on which the applicant might intend to rely at the appeal. The documents should be page-numbered.
What will happen to appeals fees?
The fees for appeals process will be retained at 2009/10 levels:
| Description |
Fee payable 2009/11 |
| Written appeal |
£1,500 |
| Oral appeal |
£2,500 |
3. Quality
Quality assurance is now undertaken by the Education Directorate at the GMC.
Will the Quality Framework and the associated Quality Assurance activities continue?
Yes. The Quality Framework will continue until GMC review the quality assurance systems for regulation of education and training. The Standards and Requirements that underpin the Quality Framework and all Quality Assurance (QA) activities in general will still apply.
The GMC is piloting combined Quality Assurance of the Foundation Programme (QAFP) and specialty visits in West and South East Scotland in April and May, respectively; and with the Defence deanery. The Visit teams were recruited from across the PMETB Partners and GMC Associates.
Planning for the scheduled visits to all other remaining deaneries is also underway. These visits will follow the Quality Framework Visit to Deanery process, and the GMC will be meeting with the Deans and Local Education Providers as per the agreed timescales.
As part of PMETB’s visits to deaneries programme, you talk to trainees to gather information. Will the visits to deaneries programme continue?
Yes. The visits that PMETB have scheduled – until the end of December 2010 – will continue as planned. Visit teams will continue to talk to trainees, clinicians and others involved in training during the visits.
Will Trainees and Trainers still be required to complete the National Survey of Trainee Doctors?
Yes. The 2010 Trainees and trainers surveys were launched on 1 April 2010. The data is collected by a secure externally hosted application which is not affected by the move of PMETB to the GMC. Therefore a normal service will be maintained following the merger.
Under PMETB’s Quality Framework, concerns about the quality of postgraduate medical education and training can be raised at any level. If I currently have a concern as a trainee, what should I do?
Simply send an email to the contact below setting out the nature of your concern, the institution(s) involved, the steps that you have already taken to resolve your concerns with the institution(s) involved and the evidence/information upon which your concern is based. The Quality team will then assess the concern following the process set out in Section 5 of the Quality Framework Operational Guide.
Email any queries to
Or contact:
- Contact Centre: 0161 923 6602
- Contact centre from outside the UK: +44 161 923 6602
PMETB approved curricula, assessment systems, programmes, posts and GP trainers against its Standards and Requirements. Do PMETB’s Standards and Requirements documents still apply?
Yes. The new legislation that transferred PMETB’s regulatory responsibilities to the GMC states that PMETB’s Standards and Requirements are still applicable as if they were established by the GMC. The approval previously given by PMETB to curricula, assessment systems, programmes, posts and trainers were carried across to the GMC and therefore remain valid and relevant.