How revalidation works

When we revalidate resident doctors

Resident Doctors, like all doctors, need to be revalidated every 5 years after full registration (F2). In addition resident doctors are revalidated again at the point they complete training and become eligible for CCT.

Dependent on the length of your training programme you may be revalidated twice whilst in training.

In order to make a revalidation submission resident doctors need to be ‘under notice’. This happens automatically once your submission date is within 12 months. We can then make a submission at any point during this period.

If we need to change your submission date (we call this ‘bringing forward’) we do this on your behalf and will advise you via email.

The main source of evidence used for revalidation is your ARCP. Fulfilling the requirements of your training programme and participating fully in the ARCP process is equivalent to the annual appraisal which doctors in non-training posts have to complete each year.

An outcome 2, 3 or 4 doesn’t mean we cannot make a revalidation recommendation unless there are also fitness to practise concerns.

Form R’s for Specialty and GP resident doctors in Wessex training programmes are to be completed via the Trainee Information Self Service Portal. Foundation resident doctors are the exception to this rule as they are required to use the Form R that is available on the Horus E-portfolio.

Please read through the email and guidance that you in your ARCP notification email ahead of your ARCP.

Key points:

You will need to set up an account including Multi Factor Authentication (MFA).

You will be able to view your personal information, programme and placement information.

The Form R will pull through the majority of the required information automatically but you can edit any of this within the Form R before submitting.

The Form R is in two parts (Part A and B) – both parts must be completed each time.

Before each ARCP you must complete a Form R and declare any incidents, complaints or other investigations. Evidence of reflection and learning will be reviewed by the panel as part of the ARCP process. The revalidation team also review Form R’s ahead of making revalidation submissions.

You must also declare any clinical work undertaken outside of the training programme and complete a reflection on work outside training form, where applicable.

All work that requires you to be a doctor must be declared alongside your training roles on your Form R. In addition we ask you to complete a WSOP form and have this signed off by the person/organisation supervising your work. For example locum shifts in a different hospital to your training post or medical cover at a sports event.

Guidance on Whole Scope of Practice is being updated and will be uploaded here shortly.

If you have had a break between training programmes (e.g. between Foundation and Specialty) any medical posts should be appraised. You will be asked to provide these when you start your next training post.

Trusts are required to report resident doctor involvement in Patient Safety Incidents, Formal Complaints and disciplinary proceedings. These are referred to as Incident Reports. These should be shared with you ahead of them being provided to us. Guidance and form.

GMC cases (current or historic) and any other fitness to practise concerns that we have been made aware of also form part of the information that is assessed prior to a revalidation recommendation being made.

What resident doctors need to do

  1. Be aware of your GMC submission date, know how to access your GMC online account.
  2. Engage with your training programme and the requirements of the ARCP including submitting the required documents within the set deadlines.
  3. Respond promptly to any requests from the revalidation team for additional information to help us process your revalidation submission.
  4. Keep the revalidation team updated regarding any investigations particularly those at GMC level.

Deferrals

Occasionally we need to ‘defer’ your revalidation recommendation. This moves your submission date to allow more time for the evidence needed to be collected and reviewed. The most common reason for deferral is if you haven’t had an ARCP within the last 15 months. Deferrals for this reason should not be regarded as negative.

Deferring a revalidation is a neutral administrative process that extends your submission date, allowing more time to collect required supporting information. It does not impact your current licence to practise.

Deferrals usually last between 3 to 12 months. The GMC sets the new submission date depending on how much time is required to resolve any outstanding requirements.