What to do if you're planning a break from clinical practice
There will always be times when doctors have a significant break from practice, for good reason, such as parental or sickness leave. Your designated body will have mechanisms in place for agreeing to postpone your appraisal or agreeing an ‘approved missed’ appraisal.
Whatever the reason for your break from practice, it is always a good idea, if possible, to discuss your plans with your responsible officer (or a delegated person in their team) or appraiser well in advance of the break. They can help you plan for your time away and make sure you're well supported when you return. You may also be able to move your next appraisal forwards to just before your break from practice so that you can use that valuable discussion time to plan for your return.
Working abroad
The GMC recommends that if a doctor is not working in the UK (or in UK overseas defence locations) they consider relinquishing their licence to practise. This is because the legal privileges associated with holding a licence only apply to the UK. A doctor can remain registered without a licence. This shows that the GMC recognises the doctor’s medical qualification and that the doctor is in good standing with them. You’ll also pay a reduced annual retention fee, and you wouldn’t need to revalidate. If you returned to practice in the UK, you could then apply to have your licence restored.
There are also regulations relating to remaining on a performers list and we are aware of some regional variation in how this is implemented so you should discuss this with your designated body. Your responsible officer also has some discretion with regards to whether supporting information collected while you’re away can count towards your revalidation.
If you plan on being out of UK general practice for more than two years in England you will likely lose your place on the NHS England performers list and be required to talk to a clinical advisor on your return and will need to engage with the Induction and Refresher Scheme. There is some variation between national performers lists on lengths of time away before a place is relinquished. Always discuss your plans with your responsible officer or appraiser.
It's worth remembering that if you have been out of practice entirely for more than two years, you will need to do a refresher course or formal return to practice process: the Induction and Refresher Scheme in England, Northern Ireland and Wales and the GP Returner Scheme in Scotland. GPs working in the Armed Forces have a needs assessment undertaken and then a supervised return to practice based on their needs. This can be trainer supervised if the needs analysis identifies a requirement. Approved breaks in practice should be considered separately from doctors doing low volumes of clinical work on an ongoing basis.
What it means to have your revalidation recommendation deferred
If necessary, your responsible officer (RO) has the option of deferring your revalidation recommendation to allow more time to collect the supporting information you need.
Only your responsible officer (RO) can decide if your revalidation date should be deferred. It is possible that the RO will decide to tell the GMC you are failing to engage with revalidation, if you have not engaged enough with the appraisal process or taken appropriate opportunities to ensure that you are ready for revalidation.
Deferral is a neutral act and is normally used in circumstances where more time is needed to demonstrate your continued competence. Your existing licence to practise will continue. This will allow you additional time to meet the GMC requirements for supporting information in full, or for a local process to be completed.
If you feel that your revalidation date should be deferred, for any reason, you should discuss your options and the reasons why with your appraiser and RO at the earliest opportunity. This will help to demonstrate that you are engaged with the process. You may well be right, but your RO will need to make the decision once they have all the facts.