Over 3,000 doctors will test out a new system of strengthened appraisal that will improve the quality and safety of patient care, Health Secretary Andy Burnham has announced. The doctors will take part in ten revalidation pilot studies across England and will be the first to try out a process, which will provide assurance on whether they are up to date with medical advances and fit to practice.
The pilot studies are a key stage towards the introduction of a new system in which all doctors practicing in the UK will need to have their licences revalidated by the General Medical Council every five years.
Health Secretary Andy Burnham said: “These pilots will provide the NHS with the opportunity to test out how the new system should work in practice. Revalidation will provide the scrutiny that patients rightly expect and provide assurance that the doctor who is treating them is keeping up to date and has all the skills and competencies necessary to do a good job.
“It will also help support doctors to reflect on their practice, continue to develop their skills and enable them to access professional development throughout their careers.”
Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said: “This new system will not only boost the levels of public trust in doctors, it will also allow us to step in and support those professionals who are struggling to keep pace. We have been delighted with the number of organisations who applied to take part in the pilots which shows that the NHS is keen to move forward on revalidation.”
