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On Revalidation, which will allow doctors to demonstrate that they are keeping up to date and are fit to practise, has been under development for over 10 years. The time frame for revalidation is now in place: doctors should already have started to collect their supporting evidence (from 1 April 2009); and implementation is expected on 1 April 2010, from which date all doctors will have to be revalidated every 5 years.

To help GPs, appraisers and their advisers, and assessors, understand the process, the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has published the RCGP guide to revalidation of general practitioners, which proposes the evidence that is required for revalidation.¹ The content of the guide has been agreed with a wide range of stakeholders, and it will be regularly updated in line with consultation and future policy decisions made by a number of parties, including the General Medical Council (GMC), the Department of Health, and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.

Revalidation encompasses two activities—relicensure and recertification. Relicensing will be the responsibility of the GMC, but the standards for recertification for all GPs in the UK will be the responsibility of the RCGP. The final details of revalidation for GPs will need to be signed off by the GMC; however it is expected that the proposals in the RCGP guide will be central to the approved system for revalidation.

Commenting on the publication of the guide, the RCGP Chair Professor Steve Field said: ‘As GPs we must show strong professional leadership in taking this forward. Revalidation will improve the standing of the profession and the quality of care we provide for our patients. For revalidation to be successful it needs the active engagement of GPs and PCTs. Appraisal is key.’ The RCGP guide and other key documents can be found at www.rcgp.org.uk

In last month’s Guidelines in Practice, we featured an article by Professor Nigel Sparrow (Chair of the Professional Development Board at the RCGP) in which he outlined the RCGP credit scheme and the importance of continuing professional development (CPD).² Under revalidation, GPs will need to earn a minimum of 50 learning credits each year, and examples of how they can be earned were also included; for example, it was suggested that five credits could be obtained if a GP reads five articles in Guidelines in Practice, assesses learning using the eGuidelines.co.uk CPD Knowledge Tracker (at www.eguidelines.co.uk/eguidelinesmain/cpd/index.php), and keeps a reflective note of how this will influence practice and patient care. Professor Sparrow’s full article can be accessed online: www.eguidelines.co.uk/eguidelinesmain/gip/vol_12/apr_09/sparrow_revalidation_apr09.php

Timeline for the implementation of revalidation

1 April 2009 — GPs should begin collecting evidence for revalidation 1 April 2010 — Revalidation official implementation date (expected)

Julia Morris, Editor
julia.morris@mgp.ltd.ukG

References

1. Royal College of General Practitioners. RCGP guide to the revalidation of general practitioners. London: RCGP, April 2009. Available at: www.rcgp.org.uk
2. Sparrow N. CPD is an essential component of the revalidation process. Guidelines in Practice 2009; 12 (4): 43–44.

Do you have any comments on revalidation or other issues that you would like to share with the Guidelines in Practice readers?
Write to:	Julia Morris Guidelines in Practice The Chapel Park View Road Berkhamstead Herts HP4 3EY
Email:	gip@mgp.ltd.uk