Medical Appraisal and Revalidation Policy

Introduction and Background

This policy forms part of Ashford & St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s (ASPH) commitment to create a positive culture of respect for all individuals including staff, patients, their families and carers as well as community partners. The Trust’s Values and Behaviours (the ‘4Ps’) are integral to all aspects of day-to-day life in the organisation and underpin the application of all our employment policies and procedures.

The purpose of Revalidation is “to assure patients and the public, employers and other healthcare professionals that licensed doctors are up to date and are practising to the appropriate professional standards”. It is a key component of a range of measures designed to improve the quality of care for patients.

Revalidation is based on effective systems of appraisal and governance/quality assurance which are designed to improve quality and safety, and is effectively a by-product of these strengthened systems. This is also underpinned by the statutory instrument “The Medical Profession (Responsible Officers) Regulations 2010” which came into force on 1st January 2011, and the Medical Profession (Responsible Officer) (Amendment) Regulations 2013.

All doctors working in the United Kingdom are required to hold a Licence to Practise. From 2013, the General Medical Council (GMC) will renew a doctor’s Licence to Practise on the basis of recommendations from the doctor’s Responsible Officer (R.O.) as part of the Revalidation Process. Recommendations will be based on comprehensive enhanced annual appraisals undertaken over a five year period and clinical data. Revalidation is designed to:

• Confirm that licensed doctors practise in accordance with the national standards “Good Medical Practice” specified by the GMC;
• Confirm that specialist doctors meet the standards appropriate for their specialty;
• Identify, for further investigation and remediation, poor practice where these have not previously been identified.

This policy sets out the Trust’s requirements and the approach to appraisals for all doctors in non-training posts in light of the introduction of Revalidation. It is also a source of guidance and support to all those involved in medical staff appraisals.

Policy Details