A medical appraisal is an annual GMC requirement where a doctor is supported to reflect on their practice, review their performance, and identify and development needs. It supports the revalidation process.

No, a medical appraisal is not a pass/fail exercise. Its purpose is to review your practice, reflect on your strengths, identify areas for development, and create a plan for future growth. The appraisal process is designed to be supportive, helping you improve your practice and meet GMC standards rather than evaluating you in a binary pass/fail way.

Medical appraisal is the annual process in which a doctor reflects on their practice, reviews their performance, and sets goals for professional development. It includes gathering evidence like Continuing Professional Development (CPD), feedback, and quality improvement activities.

Revalidation, on the other hand, is the process by which the GMC ensures that doctors are practicing safely and competently. Revalidation relies on the outcome of regular appraisals to determine whether a doctor is fit to continue practicing. While the appraisal process supports revalidation, revalidation itself is the formal decision made by the GMC regarding a doctor’s license to practice.

• A full scope-of-practice review, covering all your roles and responsibilities.

• A review of current PDPs and planning for forthcoming PDPs

• CPD activities to demonstrate ongoing professional learning.

• Quality improvement activities, such as audits or case reviews.

• Feedback from colleagues and patients, where applicable.

• Reflections on significant events and challenges in your practice.

• Reflections on compliments and complaints

The GMC dictates that appraiser’s must:

• Hold full registration and a licence to practise with the GMC

• Have a prescribed connection to a designated body (or a suitable person that we have approved)

• Be up to date with your appraiser training

• Carry out appraisals for a designated body or approved suitable person

• Have carried out at least five appraisals in the 12 months preceding an appraisal of a doctor who doesn’t have a connection

• Be discussing and reflecting on your role as an appraiser as part of your own whole practice appraisal

• Understand the context, scope and nature of work the appraisee doctor undertakes

• Not have a conflict of interest with the doctor you are appraising

• Not be in the process of licence of having your licence withdrawn

Your designated body is usually determined by your employment or contractual arrangements. For example, NHS-employed doctors typically have an NHS organization as their designated body. You can use the GMC's online tool to confirm if you have a prescribed connection to a designated body.

If you already have a prescribed connection to a designated body, then most of the time you will choose to have an appraisal with that organisation. However, it is possible to use an independent appraiser in certain situations, such as:

• A desire for a fresh perspective

• Specific professional or personal circumstances

It is essential to get agreement in writing from your Responsible Officer stating that they are happy for you to continue with an independent appraisal. We will need to see this confirmation before conducting your appraisal.

Yes. GMC appraisals are still required every year, even if you have not been working clinically. In these situations, the focus of your appraisal will be on how you have kept up to date and maintain your readiness to practice.

It can be difficult to define exactly what counts as “enough” supporting information. The GMC recognises that the type and amount of evidence needed is contextual and depends on your individual circumstances — such as whether you are in full-time work, locuming, out of practice, or working overseas. This being said, the GMC have specific annual requirements that you should adhere to. Your appraiser will discuss your portfolio with you and advise on what is appropriate in your situation. The important thing is to demonstrate honest reflection, engagement with the process, and a plan for gathering additional supporting information going forward.

Yes, in line with GMC guidance, you can have a maximum of three consecutive appraisals with the same appraiser. This ensures objectivity and brings fresh perspectives to your reflective practice and professional development. The GMC does not specify a mandatory waiting period before returning to a previous appraiser, so it is possible to return to the existing appraiser after a gap of one year. To clarify, this means that in a 5 year revalidation period all doctors will have at least two different appraisers.

RCGP: Your Career - Revalidation: Comprehensive guidance for GPs on revalidation, including appraisal preparation and evidence collection.

NHS England: Medical Revalidation - Appraisers: Information on the role of medical appraisers, training requirements, and best practices.

AoMRC: Medical Appraisal and Revalidation: Insights into improving the quality of appraisals and supporting doctors to meet revalidation standards.

GMC: Additional Requirements for Doctors Without a Connection: Guidance for doctors without a designated body, detailing additional requirements for appraisal and revalidation

Yes, we specialise in supporting doctors without a connection by providing:

• Independent appraisals that fully comply with GMC standards.

• Guidance on preparing your evidence, including CPD, significant events, and feedback.

• Support in submitting your appraisal and documentation (REV12) to the GMC.

Yes, absolutely. If you are primarily working abroad but still wish to maintain your GMC license and undertake some UK based work then we are able to conduct your appraisal. Likewise if you work entirely in the indepdent sector we are able to undertake your appraisal. Even if you do have a designated body but prefer an appraisal with us, then we can do this, but you will need permission from your responsible officer first.

You are still required to have an annual appraisal as long as you hold a licence to practise. This applies even if you are not currently employed or practising. The appraisal will give you an opportunity to reflect on any progress, how you maintain your readiness for practice, and document the steps you are taking towards securing a role in the UK.

If you are registered without a licence to practise, you do not need an appraisal during that time. However, once you apply to regain your licence to practise, you will be expected to re-engage with the annual appraisal process.

Yes our appraisers meet the stringent criteria that the GMC sets out which states that the appraiser must:

• Hold full registration and a licence to practise with the GMC

• Have a prescribed connection to a designated body (or a suitable person that we have approved)

• Be up to date with your appraiser training

• Carry out appraisals for a designated body or approved suitable person

• Have carried out at least five appraisals in the 12 months preceding an appraisal of a doctor who doesn’t have a connection

• Be discussing and reflecting on your role as an appraiser as part of your own whole practice appraisal

• Understand the context, scope and nature of work the appraisee doctor undertakes

• Not have a conflict of interest with the doctor you are appraising

• Not be in the process of having your licence withdrawn

Our appraisals are conducted by experienced GMC compliant appraisers who follow GMC guidelines and the REV12 framework. We provide compliant appraisal summaries and ensure that you are fully prepared for revalidation.

Your appraiser will provide the completed REV12 form at the end of your appraisal which you will then submit to the GMC, usually alongside your annual return. You should keep a copy for your own records.