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GMC defers revalidation for GPs to ‘free up vital time’ for coronavirus

The GMC has announced that it will defer revalidation for GPs to ‘free up vital time’ on the coronavirus ‘frontline’.

All revalidation dates scheduled from now until the end of September will be deferred for a year while doctors respond to the Covid-19 outbreak, the regulator said.

Regarding appraisals, the GMC said these were part of local clinical governance meaning responsible officers are at liberty to decide whether to pause or cancel them.

GMC chief Charlie Massey said: We’re doing everything in our power to support doctors and employers on the frontline, where patients need them most. 

‘To free up vital time, revalidation dates between 17 March and the end of September will be deferred a year.

‘We hope this will help ease the burden on doctors already working so hard to deliver the best possible care’.

Last week, the GMC confirmed that retired doctors who might come back to the workforce to help deal with the coronavirus crisis will not have to revalidate.