Revalidation

Revalidation is an aspect of clinical governance and a mechanism for UK doctors to prove their skills are up-to-date and they remain fit to practise medicine. It is intended to reassure patients, employers and other professionals, and to contribute to improving patient care and safety. .

There are some suggestions that clinical psychologists might adopt this model, given that careers last 30+ years and there have been continual developments in psychotherapy techniques and approaches to treatment of mental disorders over the past 30 years

Process of Revalidation
A doctor will undergo revalidation every five years. A recommendation to revalidate a doctor will go to the UK medical regulator, the General Medical Council, from a local 'Responsible Officer'. The Responsible Officer will usually be a senior doctor in the healthcare organisation which employs the doctor, such as the medical director. The Responsible Officer's recommendation will usually be based on the doctor's history of annual appraisals. Doctors will need to keep a portfolio of evidence showing how they are meeting relevant standards, which will form the basis for discussion at their annual appraisals.

The UK General Medical Council and UK Department of Health propose to implement revalidation for all practising doctors from late 2012. The Process of revalidation will be planned by the UK Revalidation Programme Board

Responsible Officers The Health and Social Care Act 2008 created the role of the Responsible Officer.