GP leaders have urged devolved UK Governments to quickly reach an agreement on funding remediation for GPs that require it during revalidation, after the NHS Commissioning Board agreed to fund the process for GP in England.
The BMA yesterday leant its formal backing to the GMC's timetable for the rollout of revalidation after an agreement was reached for funding remediation for GP in England.
The Association had insisted it would not formally support the rollout of revalidation from this December until it had received assurances that doctors would not have to fund remediation themselves.
BMA leaders said that the deal announced yesterday only covers England, but said they were pushing for the other UK countries to follow suit.
GPC chair Dr Laurence Buckman said: ‘This deal is England only. The other countries are going to have to say what they are going to do. I would hope that they will take their cue from this and follow suit. They would have to think of a good reason why not.'
BMA chair Dr Mark Porter added: ‘The expectation is that these principles will be followed by the other countries. We have sought assurances on this and we will continue to press on this of course.'
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Scottish Government need to consider the specifics of what has been announced by the Department for Health.We will also be having further discussions with BMA Scotland on this.'
A spokesman for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland,said: "The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has noted the decision made by the Department of Health concerning remediation arrangements for GPs in England and will consider it in the development of arrangements in Northern Ireland.'
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: 'NHS Wales has always recognised the employers' responsibility to support remediation.The Welsh Government has already established a steering group, to work in partnership with stakeholders to consolidate the arrangements in place to ensure that all doctors in Wales will be appropriately supported where remediation is required.'
