A contingent from the NASGP and GPC Sessional GP Sub-Committee (SGPSC) met up with 5 representatives from the GMC on 21st July 2006 to present our arguments on what we feel are the priorities that need to be addressed to create an environment that would best allow even the most peripatetic amongst us to receive the lightest possible 'touch' from our revalidators.

The meeting was somewhat presaged by the unexpected publication the week before by the CMO Liam Donaldson of his own consultation paper (Good Doctors, Safer Patients) on revalidation. Apart from its 40+ recommendations, the particularly interesting thing about the 218 page document is actually its lack of cohesion: his recommendations often pay scant regard to the main bulk of the document. Although the cynical may want to leap in and find confusion, our feelings are more positive in that this really is a genuine consultation, and the CMO really isn't sure exactly how he wants revalidation to be delivered so has purposefully left the matter open to debate.

So that gives us all a great opportunity to come up with a system relevant to us SGPs!

Over the next few months, we will be maintaining our close links with the GMC and GPC SGPSC, and putting together a formula that we feel works best for us SGPs. We'll keep you updated at www.nasgp.org.uk/cpd/revalidation as usual and meanwhile look forward to any comments or suggestions from our members.

Meanwhile - you may wish to browse through these documents: