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600 GPs face losing their licence to practise, says GMC

The GMC has confirmed that 600 GPs have not responded to requests from the regulator to provide information for their revalidation and have been told that their licence to practise is ‘at risk’.

The GPs have have 28 days to either confirm their designated body or tell the GMC they do not have one. If they fail to respond the GMC says it ‘will have to take steps to remove their licence to practise’.

Pulse revealed last month that more than 8,500 doctors face having their licence to practise removed by the GMC for failing to respond to communications regarding revalidation.

This number has now reduced to 7,818 doctors, and they will receive a final notice letter from the GMC this week.

The GMC wrote to 54,000 doctors last year as part of its Make your connection campaign, asking them to confirm their designated body - the organisation that will help them to revalidate.

The GMC says it has written to these doctors several times asking them to get in touch - most recently in January 2013, when all doctors were given their revalidation date.

Over 50% of the doctors written to have overseas addresses and almost 15% are over the age of 65, which may mean they are not currently working in the UK.

Niall Dickson, GMC chief executive, said: ‘Revalidation has started well - so far we have revalidated more than 18,500 doctors. To help doctors, we are committed to keeping in close contact with them, particularly in these early days.

‘We know that doctors are busy and some may have found it difficult to come back to us with the information we haveasked for. We also know that many of the doctors who have not responded are working overseas or have retired so may have chosen not to respond. 

‘For those doctors who want to keep practising in the UK, they must get back to us so we can help them with their revalidation. We have a dedicated team ready and waiting to help - all they need to do is call us.’