London Deanery selected to co-ordinate medical revalidation pilot

London Deanery has been selected to co-ordinate one of 10 pilots across England to test a strengthened appraisal system for all doctors that will improve the quality and safety of patient care.

Through the London pilot, at least 450 GPs will try out the process, which will provide assurance on whether they are up to date with medical advances and fit to practice.  We will be working closely with the 20 participating PCTs to make sure appraisers are fully trained and there are good systems in place to support the process.

Pilots are being co-ordinated on behalf of the Revalidation Support Team (RST), a Department of Health-funded body set up to support the implementation of revalidation.  Strengthened appraisal will form part of the revalidation process, which doctors will need to participate in every five years.

London Deanery is holding a launch event on 3 March 2010 and the pilot will run through to 31 March 2011.  More information is available at RST Medical Revalidation Pilot 2010