What can a doctor do to prepare?

Requirements for revalidation for paediatricians

Doctors should begin to collect information that will be used for the revalidation process. Requirements are outlined in the following documents and summarised in the below bullets.

• the RCPCH guidance on supporting information for revalidation for paediatrics (PDF, 171 KB, 19 pages)
• the GMC guidance on supporting information for revalidation
• the GMC framework for appraisal and assessment 
• the GMC requirements in the first revalidation cycle

• Annual appraisal and accompanying Personal Development Plans (PDPs) are central to revalidation so:

1. ensure that your annual appraisal forms are completed and signed off (and retained)
2. ensure that your PDP is completed and signed off (and retained)
3. check what aspects of your PDP have been achieved and what have not. Complete these or identify and record reasons for uncompleted areas.

• Review any changes to your job role or practice and keep a written statement about your whole practice and scope of work
• Ensire any changes are written into your PDP and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) plans.
• Undertake and retain evidence of your CPD as per your PDP and current College guidelines by gaining at least 250 CPD credits over a five year revalidation cycle.
• Use a validated colleague feedback tool, as completion of at least one of these will be required during a five-year revalidation cycle.
• Use a validated patient or parent feedback tool, as completion of at least one patient/parent feedback tool for your patient population will be required during a five-year cycle.
• Gather evidence of involvement in quality improvement activities (eg clinical audits, particularly completed audit cycles, reflection on cases and clinical outcomes).
• Gather evidence of other non clinical activity you have undertaken (eg teaching, research, management).
• Ensure documentation is in place for any significant incidents and complaints that you may have been involved with.
• You should also complete statements on probity and health for your revalidation folder.
• Ensure you know who your local Responsible Officer is.  How to find your designated body (and therefore your RO) is available via the GMC website.
• Ensure the information the GMC hold for you is correct and check your revalidation date on your GMC online account.

Related guidance

If you are a licensed doctor, refer to your GMC specific webpages for additional information

If you are a doctor in training, refer to your GMC specific webpages for additional information 

If you are a Responsible Officer, refer to your GMC specific webpages for additional information

You should also refer to the appraisal guidance specific to your location:

• England appraisal
• Scotland appraisal including access to SOAR secondary care and primary care appraisal system
• Wales appraisal including access to the MARS appraisal system
• Northern Ireland appraisal

You can also clarify any queries you have about revalidation or appraisal with

• your appraiser
• your Responsible Officer
• via RCPCH and GMC FAQs 
• with the RCPCH revalidation team and its specialty advisers