Regulating doctors, ensuring good medical practice

Developing local systems to support revalidation

Press Release

11 Jun 2009

The UK Revalidation Programme Board (UKRPB) has reviewed the strategy and timetable for developing local systems to support the introduction of revalidation for doctors.

Although doctors will not be revalidated for some time, employers need to start putting systems in place to make sure they are ready when the time comes.

Keith Pearson, Chair of the UKRPB

The UK Revalidation Programme Board (UKRPB) has reviewed the strategy and timetable for developing local systems to support the introduction of revalidation for doctors. The Board expects that these systems will be in place in some parts of the country by 2011. The GMC is committed to a phased approach to introducing revalidation from 2011. This will mean starting where the systems needed to support revalidation are ready and fit for purpose. 

The plan has been developed with input from all key interest groups including the Departments of Health in each of the four countries, the GMC and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.

Keith Pearson, Chair of the UK Revalidation Programme Board said: “Although doctors will not be revalidated for some time, employers need to start putting systems in place to make sure they are ready when the time comes.

“Put simply, efficient local systems and high quality healthcare go hand in hand. The UK Revalidation Programme Board will monitor progress in the development of local systems to ensure that the process of revalidation will be straightforward, cost effective and ultimately, very efficient.

“We anticipate that many healthcare organisations will have local systems in place by 2011 that are sufficiently robust to support the revalidation of their doctors. The roll-out of revalidation will be incremental so that we can build on the early learning.

“There is an understandable appetite from doctors for more information. The GMC has updated its website and published more detailed information on revalidation including a Frequently Asked Questions page. All parties are committed to keeping everyone up to date with developments on revalidation. Doctors should visit the GMC’s revalidation web pages for the latest news:  www.gmc-uk.org/revalidation "

The UK Revalidation Programme Board met on 10 June and will meet on a further three occasions in 2009. Visit our Revalidation governance for completed board meeting papers.