News: Revalidation: still time to have your say!
Consultation events were held across the UK
02 June 2010
The consultation is drawing to a close, but there is still time to respond
In March the GMC launched its consultation on revalidation. Thousands of doctors have already had their say and there is still time to join them in shaping the way ahead.
Doctors from across the UK have been getting involved with the GMC’s consultation on revalidation. Thousands have met with our revalidation team to discuss their views on revalidation in person at events across the UK. In addition, hundreds of doctors have also taken part in the formal consultation – one of the largest responses the organisation has ever received – and there is still time to make your voice heard before the consultation officially closes on 4 June as the consultation website will remain open for late responses until Sunday 6 June.
Una Lane, the GMC’s Director of Continued Practice and Revalidation said:
'We have talked to as many doctors as possible to make sure that their needs are considered as we continue to develop our plans for revalidation. These have included locums, consultants, SAS doctors, junior doctors, medical directors and doctors working in the independent sector. We have also held a number of employer and patient-focused events.'
An initial review of responses so far suggests that there is general support for the proposals, although the need for revalidation to be flexible enough to take into account all types of medical practice has been stressed. Key issues raised so far include specialty frameworks, responsible officers, colleague and patient questionnaires, and plans for the introduction and roll-out of revalidation.
Una continues:
'We will publish a response to the consultation explaining how we are addressing the feedback we have received. The consultation is very much the start of a process; we recognise the importance of continuing discussions with doctors, patients and employers as we take forward further work following the consultation.'
The GMC wants to hear from as many doctors, employers, patients and the public as possible to ensure that revalidation will work for them before the consultation closes. The consultation responses will be analysed over the summer and reported to the GMC Council in September.
How to take part
GMCtoday readers can respond to Revalidation: the way ahead here until Sunday 6 June.
All the consultation documents and other revalidation resources will remain online here.
You can download our podcasts on revalidation here.