GMC pledge to 'streamline' revalidation proposals

15 July 2010

THE GMC has promised to “simplify and streamline” its revalidation proposals following a wide-ranging consultation into the issue.

The regulator said it received more than 940 written responses from doctors, employers, patients and the public – the highest ever level of response to one of their consultations.

The majority of respondents urged the GMC to make revalidation as simple and proportionate as possible. They said revalidation must enhance quality of care while also being cost effective. The GMC said overall the feedback had been “constructive and thoughtful”.

GMC chief executive Niall Dickson said the responses were being looked at in detail. And while there was “widespread support” for many of the proposals, he admitted concerns remained about some of the details, with “a plea for further refinement and simplification.”

He added: “We are committed to reviewing our proposals in the light of the responses and feedback from some of the early pilots. We share the view of many of those who took part in our consultation that revalidation must add value for both patients and doctors and must be workable in the pressured and busy environments in which most doctors work.”

The GMC pledge follows an announcement by the Department of Health that the rollout of revalidation would be delayed until at least 2012. The DoH has also indicated it plans to scale back revalidation amid concerns the process would be complex and costly.

The GMC has now promised to reduce the burden on GPs, including specifying that they should not spend more than a few hours of their time on their annual appraisal. It also pledged to scrutinise all supporting information required by each specialty, to help reduce the workload required.

The council will release full recommendations this autumn.