UK Parliament stresses importance of revalidation

We welcome the House of Commons Health Select Committee’s recent report on revalidation, which made clear its strong support and urged that revalidation be introduced in the UK as soon as possible.

The Health Select Committee is a cross-party parliamentary body which looked at the history of revalidation, why it is necessary and what progress is being made towards implementing it across the UK.

‘Revalidation is our number one priority and this report makes clear that the Committee shares the joint commitment of the GMC and the four UK health departments to introduce revalidation by the end of 2012,’ said Niall Dickson, the Chief Executive of the GMC.

‘It is good that MPs are clear that there must now be no delay in the introduction of revalidation.’

As preparation for the launch of revalidation gathers pace, Responsible Officers are being appointed across the UK and will take on immediate responsibility for helping their organisations to prepare their systems and processes for revalidation.

Next month, we will publish detailed guidance on the supporting information that will be required for appraisals and how these fit with the principles and values set out in Good Medical Practice. These will help to ensure that appraisals for revalidation are delivered consistently and against the same standards for all doctors across the UK. 

You can read the Health Committee's report, Revalidation of Doctors, on the UK Parliament website.