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News: Toolkit offers guidance on consultation

29 March 2010

GMC launches new resource to help doctors share their views on revalidation

A new, easy-to-use toolkit has been launched to help all doctors contribute to the development of revalidation. The practical resources are designed to support doctors discussing revalidation and contributing to the GMC’s consultation, Revalidation: the way ahead, which is open until 4 June 2010.

Revalidation will affect all licensed doctors which is why the GMC is seeking feedback from as many doctors as possible about our plans and proposals for revalidation. The toolkit includes a useful discussion guide to help users engage their colleagues in workshops or focus groups. Doctors and employers can use template posters and a website banner image to promote their meeting and the consultation, along with a guide which will explain how to respond to the consultation.

The flexible nature of the toolkit means that it can be used by a wide variety of groups, including local medical committees, medical societies, group practices of GPs, junior doctor’s messes, patient involvement groups and health managers.

The toolkit can be used in different situations, for example:

• Organising a face-to-face meeting of doctors:  A doctor could organise an event for colleagues and could use the toolkit to generate discussion and feedback.  The doctor could then respond to the consultation on behalf of the group.

• Submitting a joint response from a group of doctors: Doctors can respond collaboratively to the consultation over a period of time via the GMC’s website. A group can register on the website and all contribute to the consultation before one member reviews all comments and submits a final response.

Chair of the General Medical Council, Professor Peter Rubin, said: “We want to hear from as many doctors as possible during the consultation, but we know it isn’t possible to meet every doctor during the revalidation consultation events being held across the UK during the coming months. 

"Our toolkit is designed to help groups of doctors and groups of patients hold informed discussions about the proposals for revalidation. This will help us to create a robust and workable system that will command the confidence of doctors and reinforce the public’s continuing trust in the profession.”