Introduction

Revalidation is a single process where doctors will be required to demonstrate their continued fitness to practise based on a local evaluation of their performance against national generic and specialty standards approved by the General Medical Council (GMC).

The purpose of revalidation is to assure patients and the public, as well as employers and other healthcare professionals, that doctors registered with a licence are up to date and fit to practice.

 All licensed doctors will need to revalidate on a regular basis if they wish to keep their licence to practise.

Revalidation will:

• Provide a focus for doctors' efforts to maintain and improve their practice
• Facilitate the organisations in which doctors’ work to support them in keeping their practice up to date
• Encourage patients and the public to provide feedback about the medical care they receive
• Contribute to improving the quality of patient care and providing assurance to patients, the public and employers.

The role of the Academy in revalidation is to facilitate the work of the Colleges and Faculties and to encourage them to share their experience, skills and knowledge around the development of methods for revalidation.