RCGP Tackles Remediation for GPs
29th January
2010
The RCGP is addressing the issue of
remediation for General Practitioners.
The College has released a policy paper to
inform discussions about remediation – an important issue for all
GPs that should not be confused with revalidation.
Based on the findings in the Department of
Health’s Tackling Concerns Locally report (2009) and
experience in Wales and the London Deanery, the RCGP paper aims to
draw together good practice to address three key challenges:
- Clarity on the responsibilities
of all the key stakeholders in remediation
- Consensus on the processes for
tackling concerns and remediation, and the application of those
processes consistently throughout the UK
- Achieving sufficient resources to
deliver a system of remediation that is value for money and
effective in maintaining services while ensuring patient
safety.
The paper was written with support from The
General Practitioners Committee of the British Medical Association,
The Postgraduate Deaneries, NES Scotland, The National Clinical
Assessment Service, The Revalidation Support Team, The Independent
Doctor’s Forum and The Patient Partnership Group of the RCGP.
The College is proposing a four stage process
as set out in Tackling Concerns Locally and which has
already been implemented in Wales, comprising: 1. Identifying
issues; 2. Investigation; 3. Deciding on actions; and 4.
Remediation, re-skilling and rehabilitation.
A funding model is also being proposed, with
the main financial burden for remediation being shared by the
primary care organisation and the deanery.
RCGP Chairman, Professor Steve Field, said:
”The RCGP is aware of the wide variation in the way that GPs are
supported through remediation across the UK. It is an issue now and
into the future.
“The RCGP’s proposed model for support for the
very small number of GPs who require remediation will need to be
adapted to local circumstances and we also assert that additional
resources are needed to guarantee its success.
“Sorting out a fair system for remediation is
essential for the individual GPs concerned, and for the service
generally. We want to ensure patients receive the highest quality
care from their GPs and that GPs are provided with appropriate
support in order to deliver the care that patients deserve.”
Dr Laurence Buckman, Chairman of the BMA's GPs
Committee said: "It is important for the development of the
profession and for patient care that those doctors who need to
improve can be helped to do so through education rather than
punishment. Remediation is an expensive and time consuming
activity and it is essential that all doctors who go through the
process are treated equally and are properly supported."
FURTHER INFORMATION
RCGP Press office – 020 7344 3136
Out of hours: 07885 958 632
press@rcgp.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Royal College of General Practitioners is
a network of over 37,000 family doctors working to improve care for
patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards
of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on
education, training, research and clinical standards.