What is an Appraisal?

Appraisal is an important part of a doctor's continuing professional development, as it allows a doctor to reflect on their current performance and progress and to set goals for their future development. Through annual appraisals, doctors demonstrate that they are continuing to meet the principles and values set out in the GMC guidance “Good Medical Practice” and it is, furthermore, a process through which the appraisee can raise and discuss issues of concern regarding the quality of their clinical work.

Every doctor is responsible for ensuring that they are appraised annually on their whole practice, which means the doctor should include all roles (i.e. managerial, academic and educational and research roles) in which they have clinical responsibilities, including private practice and voluntary organisations.

What is required for an appraisal?

Supporting information is used to demonstrate that you are continuing to meet the principles and values set out Practice. There are 6 types of supporting information you will be asked to provide and discuss at your annual appraisal:

• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Quality improvement activity
• Reviews of Significant Events
• Feedback from colleagues
• Feedback from patients (where applicable)
• Review of complaints and compliments

The nature of the supporting information will differ from specialty to specialty and should reflect your particular specialist practice and your other professional roles. If you are uncertain of what to include please contact our specialist revalidation team who will be able to offer further guidance on this.

For more information please contact the Revalidation team on 01908 545 875.

What is Revalidation?

Medical revalidation is the process by which all doctors who are licensed with the General Medical Council (GMC) and wishing to renew their licence will regularly demonstrate that they are up to date and fit to practise according to Good Medical Practice Guidance set by the GMC. Revalidation will provide a focus for doctors’ efforts to maintain and improve their practise and to encourage patients and the public to provide feedback about the medical care they receive from doctors.

Doctors will undergo revalidation every five years. If there are pressing concerns about a doctor’s fitness to practice, the revalidation cycle may be shortened as needed by the GMC.
Revalidation aims to:

• Assure patients and the public, employers, other healthcare providers, and other health professionals that licensed doctors are practicing to the appropriate professional standards.
• Complement other systems that exist within organisations and at other levels for monitoring standards of care and recognising and responding to concerns.

Revalidation is based on a local evaluation of doctors’ practice through yearly appraisals and it is therefore a requirement for doctors to have an annual appraisal to maintain their GMC license to practise.

Testimonial

" I am very thankful to the Responsible Officer for his kind remarks. Please convey my thanks and regards to him. Please convey my sincerest thanks to my appraiser for conducting my appraisal in a very friendly and professional manner. I may also thank you and your team for helping, assisting and guiding me throughout this process. Your personal support has been exceptional."

Nurses and midwives wishing to renew and maintain their registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) will now need to participate in the Revalidation process set out by the NMC. The process encourages nurses and midwives to practice safely and effectively as well as to reflect on the in their practice.  

Nurses and midwives will undergo Revalidation every three years and the process promotes good practice for both nurses and midwives and it encourages patients and the public to provide feedback about the care received from nurses.

Revalidation aims to

• Raise awareness of the Code and allows nurses and midwives to reflect on this in their own practice.
• Encourage nurses and midwives to stay up to date with their continuous professional development.
• Assure patients and the public, employers, other healthcare providers, and other health professionals that registered nurses are practising to the appropriate professional standards.

In order to revalidate successfully the below supporting information is a requirement

• Evidence a minimum of 450 hours in each area of practice since last renewal. 900 hours if registrant holds dual registrations as nurse and midwife.
• 35 hours of continuing professional development out of which 20 hours must include participatory training.
• 5 pieces of practice related feedback.
• 5 written reflective accounts
• Reflective discussion with an NMC registered nurse/midwife covering the 5 reflective accounts.

If you are uncertain of the requirements for revalidation please contact our specialist revalidation team for further guidance.

For more information please contact the Revalidation team on 01908 545 862.