Revalidation: preparing for 2012

We are determined to make revalidation straightforward and we will be working with doctors and employers over the coming year to help them prepare for its launch in late 2012.

We have promised to make the proposals for revalidation simpler and this year we will deliver on that promise. We are continuing to refine our plans and will work with doctors and employers to help them prepare for its implementation in late 2012.

Strengthening appraisals

You will have to demonstrate in appraisal that you are up to date and fit to practise when revalidation begins. Existing local appraisal systems will be strengthened to make this as straightforward as possible by incorporating values from the GMC’s core ethical guidance, Good Medical Practice.

In spring this year we will set out exactly what the professional values that will underpin revalidation are and what supporting information each doctor will need to bring to their appraisal. To do this, we will publish an updated Good Medical Practice Framework for appraisal and a simple guide to the supporting information that will be needed for appraisal.

We will let you know when these are published so you can begin to familiarise yourself with how the system will work in practice.

We will be working closely with employers and others to ensure these changes are built into appraisal systems well in advance of revalidation beginning in late 2012.

Responsible Officers

Responsible Officers are now being appointed across the UK. In most organisations, this will be the medical director.

Responsible Officers will help their organisations to prepare for revalidation. When revalidation begins, the Responsible Officer will make a recommendation to the GMC, usually every five years, about whether each doctor in their organisation should be revalidated based on feedback from their appraisal. For the vast majority, this will be entirely straightforward.

We are now refining the detail of how Responsible Officers will need to make their recommendations to us and how we will ensure that these are consistent and fair across the UK. For example, we may audit a sample of recommendations each year.

We know that clarity on this is important to doctors and we will let you know how it will work as soon as possible.

How can I find out more?

You can find more information about revalidation, including our recent consultation response, on our revalidation web pages .

To receive dedicated email updates about revalidation, please email revalidation@gmc-uk.org.