Frequently Asked Questions
Please note that the revalidation process is still being piloted at this time. Some areas of the process are still to be finalised. The responses below are therefore intended as guidance based on current guidelines and are subject to change.
When the process is finalised and/or amendments to current guidelines are made we will update our website and guidance accordingly.
Q: What is revalidation?
Revalidation is a single process by which doctors will demonstrate to the General Medical Council (GMC) that they are up to date and fit to practise and that they are complying with the relevant professional standards.
Q: How will revalidation work?
Every doctor will have an annual appraisal where they will provide supporting information to show that they are up to the required standards in whatever posts they hold. The supporting information should be provided on the CPD online website and in a paper portfolio containing details of work and courses the individual has undertaken, which are applicable to their job plan and PDP. The individual’s allocated Appraiser will assess the supporting information to confirm that the required standards have been met. These standards are based on the GMC’s Good Medical Practice framework
(http://www.gmc-uk.org/static/documents/content/Revalidation_way_ahead_annex1.pdf)
On a five yearly cycle the Appraiser will make a recommendation to a Responsible Officer (RO). When the RO is satisfied that the doctor in question has met the required standards and is, therefore, fit to practise they will make a recommendation to the GMC that the doctor is revalidated. Every doctor must, therefore, have a Responsible Officer.
In addition to holding a Licence to Practise trained Emergency Medicine (EM) doctors must also be on the GMC Specialty Register and will need to provide supporting information to show that they are meeting the required criteria for their particular specialty/ies.
The Emergency Medicine specialty standards will be set by the College of Emergency Medicine (CEM). Specialty standards for all colleges are still being finalised at this time. Please see our website for interim guidance.
Q: Do all doctors have to be ‘revalidated’?
Yes. Revalidation is not optional. All those holding a Licence to Practise throughout the UK must go through the revalidation process.
Q: When will revalidation start?
Exact dates are yet to be confirmed. Revalidation is going to be a gradual process that starts when individual healthcare organisations have the systems in place to ensure that the process will be entirely effective. This phased approach will also enable constant review and, if required, improvement of the revalidation process as it is rolled out throughout the UK. Currently, it is planned that Responsible Officers will be put in place throughout the UK at the start of 2011.
The GMC website will provide information on the progress of revalidation.
Q: What can I do to prepare for revalidation?
Doctors should keep information about any work they have undertaken, courses completed, online Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and reflections of practice in a portfolio that they should start building as soon as possible. Your portfolio of work will be a key factor in showing that you meet the required standards at your annual appraisal.
Q: I work in different specialties in both the NHS and the private sector. How should I go about the revalidation process?
For those Doctors working in two or more posts you will require one annual appraisal to cover all the specialties you undertake. At the appraisal you must provide supporting evidence for all your specialties regardless of whether they are in the public or private sector. Your appraisal should take place where you carry out the majority of your work.
If you are working within the NHS then you will have an Appraiser and Responsible Officer allocated to you. For those working in an independent sector organisation registered with CQC, the independent sector provider facility may carry out the appraisals. For those outwith these areas, such as Medicolegal work, you may need to link up with a Responsible Officer which can be organised through a membership organisation or the Independent Doctors Federation.
Further information can be obtained through Independent Healthcare Advisory Services (IHAS) at www.independenthealthcare.org.uk. The IHAS are working to ensure that Doctors working simultaneously in both the NHS and private sector will receive a single appraisal encompassing all their work commitments.
Q: Is the college link to revalidation relevant to all Doctors in Emergency Medicine?
The standards given are applicable to all non-training grades in Emergency Medicine. The revalidation process for those in post graduate training has not yet been finalised. However, the standards expected for trainees in Emergency Medicine are defined in the curriculum. It is unlikely that trainees will be required to collect any further information than that which is required at the moment. The Responsible Officer for those in training will be the Post Graduate Dean.
Q: I currently hold a Licence to Practise in the UK but work full time overseas. Do I have to participate in revalidation?
Those Doctors working full time overseas will still have to participate in revalidation if they retain their Licence to Practise in the UK. Should they wish to do this they will need to link up with a Responsible Officer in the UK.
They will also need to meet the competencies required for revalidation in the UK.
As standards of practice differ from country to country it may, therefore, be easier for those working full time overseas to relinquish their Licence to Practise in the UK. When they return to the UK the process of restoring the Doctor’s Licence should be straightforward. The GMC do not charge for this.
Q: What is the minimum number of sessions that I have to complete for revalidation?
There is no specific number of sessions required. It is dependent on your job plan as agreed with your respective employer. A doctor seeing the full case mix of an emergency department would be expected to cover all specialty standards required and the breadth of the EM curriculum. Time spent in direct clinical contact (shop floor) should have been discussed with your appraiser to ensure that sufficient time has been allowed in your job plan to attain the minimum standards required.
For revalidation purposes Medical Colleges have stipulated that members must complete a minimum 50 credits Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and 250 credits for every 5 year revalidation period. However, for non-members no specific amount is prescribed. Individuals will need to provide adequate supporting evidence to show that the all the work undertaken adheres to the required generic and specialty standards. The required credits for the relevant standards can be achieved in a number of ways according to the four domains and twelve attributes as detailed in the GMP framework. Please refer to the Interim Guidance on our website for further information.
For further guidance on this it may be useful to refer to the following link from the GMC’s website:
http://www.gmc-uk.org/static/documents/content/Revalidation_way_ahead_annex1.pdf
Q: I have retired but may still pursue some part time work. Do I need to go through the process of revalidation?
Anyone who continues to hold a Licence to Practise and is on the Specialty Register needs to go through the revalidation process. However, the supporting information required for annual appraisal need only address the specialties in which the individual is working. The relevant standards required for each specialty must be met. These standards are provided by the Good Medical Practice Framework.
http://www.gmc-uk.org/static/documents/content/Revalidation_way_ahead_annex1.pdf
If you are working in the NHS or a CQC registered independent organisation then you may automatically be assigned a Responsible Officer. If not, the Faculty/College in which you are working or the Independent Doctors Federation may provide one. It is essential that anyone going through the revalidation process has a Responsible Officer.
Please be aware that the revalidation process for those in ‘orphan groups’ (ie those who do not work in mainstream practice) is still being finalised. The website will be updated when the process is confirmed.
Q: I am planning to take time out. How do I go about the revalidation process when I return to work?
The revalidation process for those returning from time out is currently being finalised. The information below is based on current guidelines issued by the GMC. Our website will be updated when the process is confirmed:
The revalidation cycle is every 5 years. The same 5 year period should be adhered to. For those who have returned to work after a break and, therefore, have less than 5 years’ Continuous Professional Development (CPD), if you have supporting information meeting all the relevant specialty standards for your time before and after your time out, it should be acceptable for revalidation.
However, if the date for your 5 yearly revalidation is not long after your return to work and you, therefore, have insufficient supporting information, the date of revalidation may need to be deferred for a short time to allow you to collate the required information for appraisal.
Should the time out have been for a period greater than 5 years the revalidation process will have to take place within 2 years of your return to work.
Q: I am not a member/fellow of the CEM. Will this affect revalidation for me?
You do not need to be a member or fellow of the College in order to revalidate. However, it is beneficial to be one. The College will be able to assist with Continuous Professional Development (CPD) which is an essential part of the revalidation process. There will be a fee for non-members for this service.
Q: What will the appraisal criteria be for each specialty?
The appraisal criteria for each of the specialties is still being developed to ensure it is both practical and effective. However, details of general indicators and requirements can be found by reference to: http://www.gmc-uk.org/doctors/revalidation/revalidation_gmp_framework.asp
In the meantime, it is beneficial for doctors to start building a portfolio of work and courses they have completed. Please refer to the Interim Guidance on our website for further information.
We will update our website when the appraisal documentation has been finalised.
Q: I am a locum. How do I go about the revalidation process?
Locums need to go through the revalidation process in the same way as everyone else. They will need annual appraisals and revalidation every 5 year cycle. The individual will also need to provide supporting information for all the specialties in which they work.
The process for those not working in primary care is still under discussion at this time. Every locum will require a Responsible Officer (RO) for the revalidation process. How they should go about linking up with one has yet to be confirmed. However, the relevant Faculty/College should be able to assist with Continuous Professional Development (CPD) guidelines for appraisal and may also be able to link the locum up with a RO. Alternatively, the Independent Doctors Federation may be able to assist. For reference, their website address is http://www.idf.uk.net. .
We will update our website when we have received confirmation of the revalidation process for Locums.
Q: I work in a specialty area but am not on the Special Register. How does revalidation affect me?
Whether or not you are on the Specialist Register you will need to revalidate in the same way. However, the supporting evidence you provide to meet the required standards may differ. Revalidation is designed to reflect the work any individual undertakes and the supporting evidence may therefore be flexible. The emphasis is on meeting required standards in whatever work you do and providing relevant information to show you are doing so at your annual appraisal.