RCGP presidential candidate urges GPs to back revalidation
By Gareth Iacobucci
A Third candidate in the running for RCGP President has urged GPs to back the College's revalidation proposals.
Dr Has Joshi, a GP in Pontypool, South Wales, said it was vital for GPs to unite and not allow the profession to become divided by the plans.
His call comes after fellow candidate Dr Una Coales attacked the process last week, claiming it was being driven by Government ‘hysteria'.
In a letter to Pulse, Dr Joshi admitted there were major obstacles to overcome, but said it was important for the profession to trust the College to steer the process in the right direction.
He said: ‘We are at cross roads again. Much has been made about the College's forthcoming revalidation plans that will divide the profession and will drive the grass root GPs away from the college.
‘Any change is difficult and requires patience, direction and determination. Revalidation is no different. We will get there and make it meaningful, relevant, feasible and the hallmark of highest quality general practice as well as patient safety.
‘Let's not despair but work towards influencing and supporting the policy makers of the College in producing a template that will be the envy of the world like the British general practice and our college.'
Dr Joshi admitted there were ‘great challenges to overcome', namely in ensuring support for sessional GPs, GPs in single-handed and small practices, rural GPs, academic GPs, and independent GPs.
He said the success of revalidation hinged on securing adequate resources, quality assuring enhanced appraisal, and a developing a proper remediation process.
‘I for one, if elected as your president, would influence, support and guide the policy makers in overcoming these challenges and fight the corner of all grass root GPs which I have been one for last thirty four years,' he said.
The voting process to elect a successor to s Professor David Haslam opened yesterday, with all 36,000 RCGP members eligible to vote.
The other candidates are Dr Iona Heath, a GP in North London, and Dr Una Coales, a GP in South London.
