Reality is about to bite. The new government is looking across the public sector for savings and will bring forward intended cuts over the next few weeks.
It helps to explain why the GMC is being so obsequious. Niall Dickson, GMC chief executive, warmly welcomed the new health secretary.
“Andrew Lansley has demonstrated a long standing commitment to the health agenda and he has a real understanding of the issues. The challenge he faces is to preside over a health service that drives up quality while coping with much tighter budgets.
“We believe the new system of revalidation for the medical profession will be vital in that endeavour, ensuring that all licensed doctors remain up to date and fit to practise. The secretary of state’s support will be invaluable in making it a success.”
It comes hot on the heels of positive research suggesting the public will have more confidence in the medical profession post-revalidation. But, funnily enough, the GMC didn’t make much of the most important figure: 86% of patients already have confidence in their doctor.
So, will all this flattery and positive spin save the GMC’s vision of revalidation from the hatchet men at the Department of Health? I don’t think so. It’s starting to look like an expensive way of delivering uncertain outcomes.
I have nothing against ensuring doctors keep up-to-date in their clinical practise, but I agree with NHS Employers that this should be achieved through existing structures.
Revalidation seeks to create a broad brush approach to identifying problems that only reside with a few. For many it will be a paper chase.
Two recent stories convince me further of this. A surgeon was recently struck off for removing a testicle rather than a cyst. He was already known as a problem doctor, but simply moved from one trust to another as a locum.
The other story shows that struggling medical students are more likely to fall foul of the GMC later in their careers.
What do these stories tell me? Well, they suggest that if regulators and trusts can identify doctors who are struggling, or who are likely to struggle, earlier and provide additional support then problems could be avoided.
This doesn’t require a national system of re-licensing; it just needs better - and more decisive - management of the existing appraisal and disciplinary systems locally, with better national coordination by the regulator.
That’s my view but offer yours to the GMC here.
Tags: Revalidation
I would hope that revalidation and relicensing fall by the wayside. PMETB should be abolished, not merged with the GMC and the latter’s role restored to that of 30 years ago. We all have existing annual assessments which should be sufficient. The role of PMETB should be returned to the Royal Colleges and medical training (undergarduate and postgraduate) returned from the political sphere to the profession.
I would be very happy to help andrew Lansley wield the knife: PMETB, GMC, PCT’s, NHS Direct etc.
It would appear that the Lib Dems are equally keen on rolling back the intrusive nature of the state as well as the Tories. Hopefully this will lead to a ‘bonfire of the QUANGO’s (vanities if you prefer)’!