How will appraisal contribute to revalidation?
The GMC wants revalidation to be as simple as possible consistent with effectiveness and welcomes the agreement between the BMA and the Department of Health on a scheme of annual appraisal for consultants and GP principals working in the NHS. Provided that the agreements are robustly and effectively implemented, NHS appraisal documentation will be the vehicle for revalidation for the great majority of NHS consultants and GPs. The GMC would take the same approach with other groups of doctors who have appraisal systems. In particular, it looks forward to receiving details, when they are agreed, of the outcome of negotiations in relation to appraisal for doctors in the NHS. Negotiations are taking place in relation to amending current assessment processes for doctors in training to incorporate appraisal and to deliver revalidation. Once these arrangements are in place, which should be soon, it will be possible to put revalidation for the vast majority of doctors in the country on a sound
