Smooth start to revalidation tops GMC's 2012 priorities

The General Medical Council has set out its priorities for 2012, with the introduction of revalidation at the top of the list.

A new version of Good Medical Practice, the launch of the new Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, and the piloting of an induction programme for doctors new to UK practice are among the regulator’s other priorities for the year.

The plans are set out in the GMC’s 2012 Business Plan, published today.

Niall Dickson, the Chief Executive of the General Medical Council, said:

“The GMC has invested considerable effort in ensuring that revalidation is as simple and straightforward as possible for doctors, while providing assurance to patients that their doctor’s skills and knowledge are up-to-date. There is still much work to do and we are sparing no effort to ensure a smooth start to revalidation at the end of this year.

“The recent appointment of His Honour Judge David Pearl as the first chair of the new Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service is an important step. Establishing the MPTS is a key part of the GMC's plan to reform its adjudication work, introducing an even greater separation between the GMC’s investigations and its fitness to practise hearings.

“In 2012, we will have a much stronger local presence. The new regional and employer liaison teams we established in 2011 are now supporting medical directors and others throughout the UK and will be in place in all areas in the first few months of this year.”

“Our new induction programme will be an important way to reinforce the standards expected of doctors in this country and to help prepare those who are new to practice here.

“We will do all this while seeking further efficiency savings on top of those we have already made and which allowed us to cut fees for doctors for the first time last month.”