GMC appoints Chair for UK Revalidation Programme Board

The GMC is pleased to announce the appointment of Sir Michael Pitt as the Chair of the UK Revalidation Programme Board.

The GMC is pleased to announce the appointment of Sir Michael Pitt as the Chair of the UK Revalidation Programme Board.

The Revalidation Programme Board will oversee the delivery of the revalidation process by the four countries of the UK. The board will report directly to the GMC and include representatives from the four administrations, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, the GMC, BMA and patient organisations as well as the NHS and other healthcare providers. The first meeting is expected to take place early in 2009.

Sir Michael is the chair of the South West Strategic Health Authority, which oversees the operation of the National Health Service in the South West of England. He was also appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in August 2007. In this role he chaired an independent review into the floods which affected parts of the United Kingdom in the summer of 2007.

Sir Graeme Catto, President of the GMC, said: “We are delighted to have appointed Sir Michael who brings with him a wealth of experience from the civil service, private sector and local government. We are already working very closely with the organisations that will be represented on this new board; we look forward to an even more cohesive approach with this appointment.”

Sir Michael Pitt, Chair of the Revalidation Programme Board, said: “Revalidation represents a significant change in medical regulation and I look forward to undertaking this role at what is a very exciting and challenging time.“ 

The General Medical Council plans to introduce licences to practise in the autumn of 2009. Licensing will be the first step towards the introduction of revalidation.