Graeme Catto is President of the General Medical Council (Regents Place, 350 Euston Road, London NW1 3JN, UK. Email: g.catto{at}abdn.ac.uk) and Professor of Medicine, University of Aberdeen. Until 2005, he was Vice-Principal at Kings College London, Dean of the Guys, Kings College and St Thomas Hospitals Medical and Dental School and Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of London. Formerly Chief Scientist at the Scottish Executive Health Department, he is currently a member of the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence, Governor of the Science Technology Park in Qatar and Chair of the Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine.
Abstract
Proposed changes to the regulation of healthcare professionals in the UK set regulators a considerable challenge. Here I examine the nature of the challenge and what the General Medical Council (GMC) and its partners are doing to meet it. Relicensing and recertification are crucial. Revalidation is the sum of their parts and the duty of any responsible regulator. Effective revalidation will provide affirmation of doctors entitlement to practise, and give the public the assurance that the doctors who treat them are up to date and fit to practise. The GMCs Good Medical Practice is central to any new system, and I outline the GMCs long-term thinking and immediate priorities, including the development of colleague and patient questionnaires and plans to introduce licences to practise.
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