"Revalidation will add real weight to the existing annual appraisals that doctors have with a senior colleague. It will involve feedback from staff and patients, and will ensure doctors have clear personal development plans identifying weaknesses and the actions needed to improve their practice. Of course, the devil lies in the detail. Nobody wants revalidation to become an overly bureaucratic or expensive exercise. Nor do we want a system that fails to identify doctors not performing to the required levels. We need to get the balance right, and the GMC, the BMA, the Royal Colleges and other representative bodies are all helping us to do just that... I am determined that revalidation should help, not hinder, the medical profession - giving them the professional structure they need to keep ahead. It will provide much-needed protection forpatients, better support for doctors, and safer and more effective care across the NHS."

Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Health, January 2010

What are the challenges faced with implementing a revalidation programme?

Five key revalidation challenges have been identified by the Department of Health:

1. 'The Logistical Challenge of Revalidation' - making sure that the programme can manage the 150,000+ doctors who are actively practising in the UK.
2. 'The Methodological Challenge of Revalidation' - to design and implement fair systems through which standards are assessed.
3. 'The Connecting Challenge of Revalidation' - to make relevant links across multiple systems.
4. 'The Information Challenge of Revalidation' - to make data available for objective assessment.
5. 'The Cultural Challenge' - to provide an environment where doctors are supported and where other stakeholders (health professionals, patients and managers) remain involved.

Reports

Department of Health, Medical Revalidation - Principles and Next Steps
This report, by an expert working group chaired by Sir Liam Donaldson, was published in July 2008. It sets out the principles and next steps for implementing revalidation in the United Kingdom. It is based on wide-ranging discussions of the proposals in the Government White Paper, 'Trust, assurance and safety - the regulation of health professionals in the 21st Century.

Department of Health, Trust, Assurance and Safety p The Regulations of Health Professionals in the 21st Century

UK Revalidation Programme Board, Revalidation Project Initiation Document

Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, Specialist Recertification Project Plan

Website links

Department of Health

General Medical Council - Revalidation

General Medical Council - Revalidation FAQ's

Academy of Medical Royal Colleges

Would you like to learn more?

Contact us…

• call us on 020 7837 2690
• email software@premierit.com
• complete our online enquiry form

Visit us...

Strengthened Appraisal and Revalidation Conference

Premier IT will be sponsoring the Strengthened Appraisal and Revalidation Conference on Thursday 21st October 2010 at the Manchester Conference Centre, Manachester.

Topics include:

• Medical revalidation: the way ahead
• Developing and assessing the standards for the specialist elements of Consultant revalidation
• Assuring the quality of Strengthened Appraisal to support Revalidation
• Assessing competencies for Revalidation
• Testing the GMP framework in action: mapping information against the framework – Learning from Scotland
• Appraisal and revalidation: Bringing it all together
• Medical Revalidation: Piloting the process
• How Clinical Audit and Outcomes information should support Revalidation
• Tackling Performance Concerns & the Responsible Officer: An update
• Supporting doctors in difficulty including the GMC Affiliate Role

As a sponsor of the Strengthened Appraisal and Revalidation Conference series, we are able to offer you a 15% discount on standard delegate fees. This translates as:

£310.25 + VAT for NHS, social care, private healthcare organisations and universities (standard cost £365 + VAT)
£255 + VAT for voluntary sector/charities (standard cost £300 + VAT)
£255 + VAT for BAMM and IHM members (standard cost £300 + VAT)

To book, download the conference brochure and complete the booking form - clearly indicate on the booking form that you have been invited by Premier IT to receive your 15% discount.

It is not possible to receive the 15% discount if using the online booking facility.

View our…

• PReP booklet - including screenshots of the system
• e-Portfolio for Revalidation leaflet
• Professional Development Software brochure
• Media feature – Will Revalidation help to protect patients and guide doctors? feature in National Health Executive magazine