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When appraisals restart in October 2020 they will take on a new format.
In recognition of the exceptional stresses that the COVID-19 pandemic is placing on doctors your appraisal will have a rebalanced approach.
It will focus on your professional development and wellbeing.
You will not have to supply large quantities of supporting information and pre-appraisal paperwork.
The appraisal will provide an opportunity for a confidential discussion and a time for you to reflect verbally rather than in writing.
Your appraiser will capture the discussion in the appraisal summary which you will be able to correct before sign off.
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Key points
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Key documents: Restarting appraisals letter from the Chief Medical Officer (Prof. Powis, September 2020) Key points for doctors (AMRC, August 2020) Input-light appraisal template (AMRC, August 2020) FAQs (National Working Group, September 2020) Medical Appraisal Guide 2020 (AMRC, August 2020) Support for doctors (National Working Group, September 2020 View the full list of documents.
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Why are appraisals resuming mid-way through an appraisal year?
Appraisal should be about support and development and for you to debrief about the events over the past year.
Given the disruption of this pandemic we feel this is a positive move for many clinicians to have protected time to have a confidential discussion with a colleague.
Given the disruption of this pandemic we feel this is a positive move for many clinicians to have protected time to have a confidential discussion with a colleague.
What are the changes to appraisal documentation?
You will still need to use a portfolio tool to capture your demographic details and sign-off statements.
However, a new template has been designed that meets the GMC requirements for revalidation but requires little in the way of preparation or written supporting evidence by you prior to the appraisal.
We understand that this template is being integrated into both the Fourteen Fish and Clarity toolkits.
It can also be used as a standalone document to upload to your MAG from, or alternative toolkit, or simply as a guide to which elements to focus on.
The new template should take around 30 minutes to complete.
It is the only written supporting information you are required to submit for your next appraisal unless you have specifically been asked to bring something by the GMC, NHS England or your Responsible Officer.
Evidence which was previously uploaded to a toolkit can still be submitted to your appraiser although it is not a requirement.
We anticipate most GPs will choose to complete the template within their normal appraisal toolkit.
Appraisers will complete the normal summary and output statements in whichever portfolio toolkit you have used and will seek your approval/correction before submission to NHS England.
We understand that this template is being integrated into both the Fourteen Fish and Clarity toolkits.
It can also be used as a standalone document to upload to your MAG from, or alternative toolkit, or simply as a guide to which elements to focus on.
The new template should take around 30 minutes to complete.
It is the only written supporting information you are required to submit for your next appraisal unless you have specifically been asked to bring something by the GMC, NHS England or your Responsible Officer.
Evidence which was previously uploaded to a toolkit can still be submitted to your appraiser although it is not a requirement.
We anticipate most GPs will choose to complete the template within their normal appraisal toolkit.
Appraisers will complete the normal summary and output statements in whichever portfolio toolkit you have used and will seek your approval/correction before submission to NHS England.
WHat are the minimum requirements for supporting information?
You will need to provide at least the minimum essentials for your appraisal:
You should submit any supporting information that you have gathered since your last
appraisal.
Your insights and reflections should be discussed (and captured by your appraiser through the appraisal outputs) but they do not need to be submitted in writing prior to the discussion.
Your pre-appraisal portfolio must include:
You still need to have completed your patient or colleague feedback within the 5-year revalidation cycle.
The usual providers (Fourteen Fish, CFEP and Clarity) have all developed tools for patient feedback from remote working.
If there is specific supporting information required in order to make your revalidation recommendation and it is difficult for you to gather this, discuss with your appraiser how you plan to collect the information and reflect on it in your next appraisal in your current revalidation cycle.
You should submit any supporting information that you have gathered since your last
appraisal.
Your insights and reflections should be discussed (and captured by your appraiser through the appraisal outputs) but they do not need to be submitted in writing prior to the discussion.
Your pre-appraisal portfolio must include:
- a list of any significant events,
- a list of compliments and complaints in which you were personally named or involved
- any items you have been asked to bring to the appraisal in the usual way
You still need to have completed your patient or colleague feedback within the 5-year revalidation cycle.
The usual providers (Fourteen Fish, CFEP and Clarity) have all developed tools for patient feedback from remote working.
If there is specific supporting information required in order to make your revalidation recommendation and it is difficult for you to gather this, discuss with your appraiser how you plan to collect the information and reflect on it in your next appraisal in your current revalidation cycle.
Is having an appraisal safe (video links)?
While social distancing rules are in place, the appraisal discussion will take place virtually on a platform agreed between you and your appraiser.
As it is taking place via video link, then care must be taken to avoid discussion of sensitive identifiable information unless the platform meets NHS England’s data protection requirements (Microsoft Teams does).
Appraisals should not routinely take place by phone.
For GPs in NHSE Southwest no face to face appraisals will take place for the foreseeable future.
As it is taking place via video link, then care must be taken to avoid discussion of sensitive identifiable information unless the platform meets NHS England’s data protection requirements (Microsoft Teams does).
Appraisals should not routinely take place by phone.
For GPs in NHSE Southwest no face to face appraisals will take place for the foreseeable future.
When will my appraisal be booked?
Your appraiser will contact you to book an appraisal date.
Given the short notice timescale for the reintroduction of appraisals over the coming weeks, we will be flexible and supportive, and allow a slight deferral period for those doctors whose appraisals are due in October, into November, if needed.
No postponement form will be required if your October appraisal takes place in November 2020 (unless specifically covering parental leave, sabbatical breaks etc.), and the proposed appraisal month will return to October as usual from next year.
If you should have had an appraisal between April and September 2020 but were marked as an “approved missed appraisal” due to Covid, there is no requirement for your appraisal to take place in this appraisal year.
Your next appraisal will take place in the usual due month from April 21, without any detriment to future appraisals or your revalidation recommendations.
Given the short notice timescale for the reintroduction of appraisals over the coming weeks, we will be flexible and supportive, and allow a slight deferral period for those doctors whose appraisals are due in October, into November, if needed.
No postponement form will be required if your October appraisal takes place in November 2020 (unless specifically covering parental leave, sabbatical breaks etc.), and the proposed appraisal month will return to October as usual from next year.
If you should have had an appraisal between April and September 2020 but were marked as an “approved missed appraisal” due to Covid, there is no requirement for your appraisal to take place in this appraisal year.
Your next appraisal will take place in the usual due month from April 21, without any detriment to future appraisals or your revalidation recommendations.
WILL REVALIDATION RECOMMENCE IN THE SAME WAY?
The revalidation process has not been paused.
The GMC have decided that those doctors with revalidation dates between 17 March 2020 and 16 March 2021 will have their dates moved back by one year.
Responsible Officers have the opportunity to make positive revalidation recommendations for doctors in this cohort where it is possible to do so.
Doctors can be revalidated with fewer than five appraisals (as long as all the supporting information has been collected and discussed at appraisals earlier in their revalidation cycle).
See Changes made to revalidation in response to the coronavirus pandemic (GMC website).
The GMC have decided that those doctors with revalidation dates between 17 March 2020 and 16 March 2021 will have their dates moved back by one year.
Responsible Officers have the opportunity to make positive revalidation recommendations for doctors in this cohort where it is possible to do so.
Doctors can be revalidated with fewer than five appraisals (as long as all the supporting information has been collected and discussed at appraisals earlier in their revalidation cycle).
See Changes made to revalidation in response to the coronavirus pandemic (GMC website).
What happens to those appraisals that were due to take place before the 1st October 2020?
All appraisals that were due to take place between April 1st and September 30th, 2020
have been given ‘approved missed’ status.
These doctors will not be disadvantaged by this and will not require a ‘catch-up’ appraisal later in the year.
All doctors on the Performers List should have the opportunity to have an appraisal following the Medical Appraisal 2020 model and that the new format will remain in place at least until September 2021.
have been given ‘approved missed’ status.
These doctors will not be disadvantaged by this and will not require a ‘catch-up’ appraisal later in the year.
All doctors on the Performers List should have the opportunity to have an appraisal following the Medical Appraisal 2020 model and that the new format will remain in place at least until September 2021.
I missed my appraisal because it was due to take place before 1st October 2020, but I really want to have an appraisal, what should I do?
You should talk to your relevant appraisal team who will need to ensure that there is enough appraiser capacity in the system before this can be arranged.
WILL THIS 2020 APPRAISAL MODEL STILL COUNT TOWARDS A POSITIVE REVALIDATION RECOMMENDATION?
Yes.
The role and purposes of your appraisal remain unchanged.
If you engage with the annual appraisal process as described for medical appraisal 2020, it will count towards a positive revalidation recommendation.
The role and purposes of your appraisal remain unchanged.
If you engage with the annual appraisal process as described for medical appraisal 2020, it will count towards a positive revalidation recommendation.
IF I UNDERTAKE A DELAYED APPRAISAL, WILL MY NEXT APPRAISAL BE ONE YEAR FROM MY DELAYED APPRAISAL MONTH?
If you have a delayed appraisal you will normally revert to your usual appraisal month in the following appraisal year.
If you have been granted an ‘approved missed’ appraisal due to the pandemic this year, you will continue to have your appraisal in the first 6 months of the next appraisal year.
We intend that everyone will approximate to their usual dates / appraisal month as much as possible, appraiser capacity allowing.
If you have been granted an ‘approved missed’ appraisal due to the pandemic this year, you will continue to have your appraisal in the first 6 months of the next appraisal year.
We intend that everyone will approximate to their usual dates / appraisal month as much as possible, appraiser capacity allowing.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE APPRAISAL PROGRAMME AFTER SEPTEMBER 2021?
It is impossible to predict how the pandemic will continue to affect and shape our professional lives.
Appraisal programmes may be paused in response to a local or national significant surge in virus cases.
The changes in process due to the introduction of medical appraisal 2020 will be evaluated to assess whether the changes are an improvement, and, if so, which elements should be carried forward.
We want all doctors to have the benefits that the best appraisals already provide.
Appraisal programmes may be paused in response to a local or national significant surge in virus cases.
The changes in process due to the introduction of medical appraisal 2020 will be evaluated to assess whether the changes are an improvement, and, if so, which elements should be carried forward.
We want all doctors to have the benefits that the best appraisals already provide.
I AM NOT CURRENTLY WORKING. SHOULD I STILL HAVE AN APPRAISAL?
We would hope you find having an appraisal supportive and informative and particularly so at the current time, following recent rapid changes and challenges caused by the pandemic.
We would be happy to consider arranging an appraisal for you if you are not working and suggest you contact your appraisal office to discuss further.
We would be happy to consider arranging an appraisal for you if you are not working and suggest you contact your appraisal office to discuss further.
I AM FEELING TOO EXHAUSTED / STRESSED / UNWELL TO HAVE AN APPRAISAL, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If you are well enough to be working clinically, we would expect you to have an appraisal.
If you consider that your ability to care for patients is impaired in any way because of your health, it is very important that we are able to support you in receiving the help you need.
We would strongly encourage you to contact the appraisal office at your earliest convenience (and possibly seek the support of your GP or the Practitioner Health Programme).
If you are not working due to ill-health, then please contact the appraisal office and follow the existing processes to explain your circumstances.
You are likely to be recorded as having an ‘approved missed’ appraisal, although there are circumstances in which you may prefer to have an appraisal.
If you consider that your ability to care for patients is impaired in any way because of your health, it is very important that we are able to support you in receiving the help you need.
We would strongly encourage you to contact the appraisal office at your earliest convenience (and possibly seek the support of your GP or the Practitioner Health Programme).
If you are not working due to ill-health, then please contact the appraisal office and follow the existing processes to explain your circumstances.
You are likely to be recorded as having an ‘approved missed’ appraisal, although there are circumstances in which you may prefer to have an appraisal.
I AM ON PARENTAL LEAVE OR PLANNING PARENTAL LEAVE TO OCCUR OVER THE TIME OF MY ALLOCATED APPRAISAL DATE. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If you are due an appraisal whilst on parental leave, we would encourage you to contact the appraisal office to discuss how you can be best supported.
Some doctors choose to pull their appraisal forward to plan for their parental leave, others delay their appraisal and wait to have it to plan for their return to work.
This is no different in the context of the pandemic.
Some doctors choose to pull their appraisal forward to plan for their parental leave, others delay their appraisal and wait to have it to plan for their return to work.
This is no different in the context of the pandemic.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS A SECOND PANDEMIC WAVE?
If there is a second wave plans are in place to suspend appraisal again if this is felt to be required and you would be informed.
WHAT DO I DO IF I AM STRUGGLING TO UNDERTAKE A PATIENT SATISFACTION QUESTIONNAIRE, AS I SEE VERY FEW PATIENTS FACE-TO-FACE FOLLOWING CHANGES TO WAYS OF WORKING?
Doctors in the final year of their revalidation cycle now have their revalidation date deferred by 1 year.
If you are in this position, we would expect you to have plenty of opportunities to arrange this at a later stage.
Some platforms have already enabled new ways of collating feedback to ensure ease of collecting doctor-patient feedback with remote working and it seems likely that this trend will continue.
If you are in this position, we would expect you to have plenty of opportunities to arrange this at a later stage.
Some platforms have already enabled new ways of collating feedback to ensure ease of collecting doctor-patient feedback with remote working and it seems likely that this trend will continue.
What if my question is not answered here?
If you have any questions please check
If your question is not answered there please contact your appraiser, or the appraisal/revalidation coordinators.
- FAQs (National Working Group, September 2020)
- the FAQ tabs on the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges website.
If your question is not answered there please contact your appraiser, or the appraisal/revalidation coordinators.
