Revalidation Update

Many of you will be aware that revalidation has hit the headlines again this week, with the publication of a letter from the new Secretary of State Andrew Lansley to Peter Rubin, chair of the GMC – a copy of this letter can be found here.

Regardless of what you read in the newspapers, revalidation is moving forward and I believe that the Secretary of State’s letter is a constructive addition to the debate. As you know, the RCGP has been working very closely with the GPC, and other stakeholders. I have been out and about around the country, most recently at a session with defence service doctors, and I always bring back good questions, even if I don’t know the answers when I’m there! A lot of the work we have been doing recently has focused on GPs who are practising as locums, or working in rural and remote areas. Over the past couple of weeks I have had very constructive meetings with the GMC and I had a positive discussion with medical directors of PCTs on clinical governance, revalidation and a need for continued funding for the Practitioner Health Programme which supports doctors in difficulty last week at the College.

There do seem to be problems in some of the hospital specialties about the standard that doctors will need to meet in order to revalidate, but in general practice we have always taken the view that revalidation is about professional development, and that for revalidation to be a success it will also depend on appropriate clinical governance systems in Primary Care Organisations across the UK, appropriate funding and a solution to the question of remediation.

I have always tried to ensure that the College is open about its deliberations, which is why we have published the guide to revalidation – of which the fourth edition goes live imminently. We want to make sure that revalidation is appropriate for all GPs, regardless of how and where they work.

With that in mind, I support the Secretary of State’s view that piloting should be extended so that we can learn more, particularly about the costs, and how we can make this as bureaucracy-light as possible. It will also give primary care organisations more time to sort out their clinical governance systems and appoint responsible officers. We know that the profession – particularly in some of the specialities - doesn’t feel as engaged as it might; we have benefited from regular meetings with the GPC, who have acted as critical friends – not shy to challenge, but always ready to support when appropriate.

Of course I will continue to update you on progress, and Mike Pringle, RCGP Medical Director for Revalidation, and I will continue to tour the country meeting with GPs and responding to your questions as revalidation moves forward.