What the performers list is (and isn't)
Once you have completed your training, and to practise as a GP, you must join a GP performers list. There are different lists across the UK.
You can find specific requirements for each Performers List by following the links below (though it is worth noting that these requirements are similar):
- England: NHS England Performers List
- Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland Primary Medical Performers List
- Scotland: Health Board Performers List
- Wales: All Wales Medical Performers List
GPs practising in the Armed Forces are not required to join a Performers List, though it is encouraged. There is a Type 2 registration for Armed Forces providers. Those practising solely in independent practice also do not need to join a Performers List.
While there are some differences in how the Performers Lists are managed, generally, you will need to ensure you are undertaking some undifferentiated primary care each year to maintain your place on a list and maintain your connection to a responsible officer.
Performers list requirements differ from the GMC requirements for revalidation, which are about fitness to practise. Providing you have a good record of CPD, engagement with appraisal in the previous five-year cycle, and have completed patient and colleague feedback, you should be able to retain your licence to practise medicine in the UK. Meeting the GMC requirements provides a positive affirmation of the demonstration of continued competence for any doctor, whatever their scope of practice, whether private, NHS, voluntary or other organisation. Doctors must demonstrate that they are up-to-date and fit to practise across their whole scope of practice to revalidate successfully.
The national performers list requirements are about being fit for purpose to work as a doctor in Primary Care in the NHS. If your scope of practise is no longer in primary care (either temporarily or permanently) you may voluntarily remove yourself from the Performers List (see When to come off the performers list - and how to get back on again), but you should still maintain your GMC licence to practise. You will retain your place on the GMC GP register as this is a 'historical record of achievement'.
How the performers list relates to your appraisal
Maintaining your place on a Performers List will ensure you remain connected to a responsible officer (RO). That RO will then provide you with an appraiser and make revalidation recommendations to the GMC on your behalf.
When to come off the performers list - and how to get back on again
If you provide any core undifferentiated primary care, including out of hours services and locum sessions, you should maintain your place on a GP Performers List. However, some ROs may ask you to provide extra evidence that you remain fit to practise across your whole scope of work if you undertake fewer than 40 sessions of primary care each year. If your scope of work becomes so varied that you are no longer considered to be undertaking primary care services, you may be removed from the Performers List.
You can find more information on what happens if you do come off a performers list in our appraisal guide.