What is GMC Revalidation?

The GMC Revalidation is the process through which the GMC approves the continuation of a doctor’s licence to practice. It is a process to:

  • Develop doctor’s practice
  • Maintain their licence to practice
  • Drive improvements through clinical governance
  • Give confidence to the patients

To ensure doctors practiced medicine that was high quality and safe, NHS England and the General Medical Council (GMC) joined together to implement regulations that every doctor in the country must follow. They introduced the process of medical revalidation for doctors.

What Is The Purpose Of Revalidation For Doctors?

The purpose of the process of medical revalidation for doctors is to assure the patients and public that doctors are fit to practice and are updated in their skills and technical developments. It is a supportive and development process that helps ensure the best care and support is provided for the patients. This process of doctors takes place every 5 years and informs the GMC that the doctor is has the necessary skills to work.

Do You Need A Designated Body For The Process Of Revalidation for Doctor?

No. Arranging annual appraisals and ensuring fitness to practice is evidenced is the role of the responsible officer of a designated body. This is a service provided to doctors employed or contracted by the designated body. If a doctor is not connected to a designated body responsibility for this falls on the doctors themselves. Furthermore, revalidation recommendations must be made by the GMC and are based on undertaking an assessment test every 5 years. If an organisation is a designated body, the responsible officer is able to make a recommendation for revalidation.

What Is A Designated Body(DB)?

A designated body is an organisation that is responsible for providing doctors with regular appraisal and revalidation support. It is an organizstion where a licensed doctor has a professional, educational or employment connection.

Regardless of your experience, or tenure of service, you only have one designated body for GMC revalidation for doctors in the UK.

If you need any help in establishing who your DB is, you can contact us, at Solas Healthcare. We will help you to find your Designated Body and keep you informed about any information that you seek on the subject.

What Is The Role Of A Designated Body?

A Designated Body must have a Responsible Officer who ensures that connected doctors are fit to practice. The RO ensures that the doctors for whom they act in this nominated capacity are able to continue their practice safely and are supported and managed in maintaining the professional standards, set by the GMC.

It has a duty to support the Responsible Officer in the role by resourcing them appropriately. It is the designated body that is responsible for producing a portfolio of supporting information to the GMC that the practice of the doctor meets:

  • Expectations of their managed healthcare organisation.
  • General standards as set out by the appropriate Medical Royal College and Faculty.
  • Standards laid down by the GMC as mentioned in Good Medical Practice.

The information that GMC considers from the responsible officer of a Designated Body(DB) for a positive revalidation recommendation includes the following:

  • Significant events in the five years
  • Quality improvement activities
  • Continuing professional development
  • Feedback from doctor’s colleagues
  • Feedback from the patients
  • Review of compliments and complaints received

What Is The Benefit Of Being Connected To A Designated Body?

If you are connected to a designated body, you will have a responsible officer who is able to oversee the systems which support revalidation (such as appraisal and clinical governance).

They will also be able to make a revalidation recommendation for you.

What Happens If You Are Not Connected To A Designated Body?

If the organisation that you are employed or contracted by is not a designated body, the GMC must get assurance about your fitness to practise directly from you. This is obtained through appraisals, annual returns, and GMC revalidation assessments.

Appraisals

Annual Returns

  • Provision of medical services statements (MSS) from all organisations at which you have carried out medical practice
  • A form from your appraiser to provide details of your appraisal (REV12)
  • A certificate of good standing (if you have been registered with an overseas regulator within the last 12 months)

GMC Revalidation Assessment

  • Attend a written MCQ examination when your revalidation is due

Things To Consider If You Are Finding Your Connection For Revalidation

If you are employed with more than one organization, you may want to consider the following things for finding your connection for revalidation:

  • Enlist the organizations that you’ve worked for during the last 12 months.
  • Mention the time and clinical practice you do at each of the workplaces.
  • Keep in mind the basis on which you are employed, full-time or contractual.
  • Talk to the organization if you are unsure about your employment status.
  • List any membership organization you are associated/registered with.

When Is An Organization A Designated Body?

As per the Responsible Officer Regulations, some organizations are automatically designated. These bodies are mentioned in the list of Schedule Part 1 of the regulation. Other organizations, mentioned in Schedule Part 25, become the designated bodies when they have a prescribed connection with a minimum of one doctor through employment or contractual basis.

Where can you find guidance as to whether your organization is a designated body?

If you are willing to find an answer to whether your organization is a designated body, Solas Healthcare might prove to be an efficient destination for you. To make you acquainted with the different and essential information about the Regulations of GMC and NHS England, this organization plays a vital role.

How Can Solas Healthcare Help?

Solas Healthcare can help you with:

  • Establishment of designated body status for your healthcare entity
  • Appointment of a responsible officer
  • Drawing up documentation to show regulatory compliance
  • Creating and maintaining a database to store appraisal and revalidation data
  • Governance activity if there are significant concerns or complaints about your doctors
  • Arranging annual appraisals
  • Management of revalidation recommendations
  • Submitting Annual Board Reports to NHS England

Why Choose Solas Healthcare?

Solas Healthcare is one of the largest providers of high-quality responsible officer services in the UK. We provide you with the healthcare service of a skilled, knowledgeable, and approachable responsible officer who is able to help you with all of your appraisal and medical revalidation requirements. Our services are competitively priced ensuring you also receive excellent value for money.

Contact us now so that we can advise you on how we can help your organisation.