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| Doctors facing 'five-year MOTs' | Doctors facing 'five-year MOTs' |
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| The government has set out more details on how it will be introducing five-yearly MOTs for doctors. | The government has set out more details on how it will be introducing five-yearly MOTs for doctors. |
| The government committed itself to introducing a system of relicensing the UK's 150,000 doctors last year to test their basic competence as a medic. | The government committed itself to introducing a system of relicensing the UK's 150,000 doctors last year to test their basic competence as a medic. |
| GPs and consultants will also face specific testing to see if they can continue in their specialities. | GPs and consultants will also face specific testing to see if they can continue in their specialities. |
| The system will be drawn up and piloted over the next 18 months, chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson said. | The system will be drawn up and piloted over the next 18 months, chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson said. |
| The changes have been dubbed the biggest shake-up in doctor regulation in 150 years. | The changes have been dubbed the biggest shake-up in doctor regulation in 150 years. |
| But in principle we support the idea that doctors should be looking to improve themselves Dr Hamish MeldrumBritish Medical Association | But in principle we support the idea that doctors should be looking to improve themselves Dr Hamish MeldrumBritish Medical Association |
| Critics have been calling for a better system for years, pointing out pilots can face 100 assessments over their career while doctors effectively have none. | Critics have been calling for a better system for years, pointing out pilots can face 100 assessments over their career while doctors effectively have none. |
| The campaign gathered momentum after the Harold Shipman murders. | The campaign gathered momentum after the Harold Shipman murders. |
| The GP murdered more than 200 people over a period of 23 years with the inquiry into the case raising concerns about doctor regulation. | The GP murdered more than 200 people over a period of 23 years with the inquiry into the case raising concerns about doctor regulation. |
| There will be two strands to the new system called revalidation. | There will be two strands to the new system called revalidation. |
| Relicensing will apply to all doctors and will be based on a strengthened annual appraisal process in which patients are likely to have an input. | Relicensing will apply to all doctors and will be based on a strengthened annual appraisal process in which patients are likely to have an input. |
| Meanwhile, recertification will only be imposed on the most senior doctors. | Meanwhile, recertification will only be imposed on the most senior doctors. |
| It has been suggested this could include some kind of computer simulation model. | It has been suggested this could include some kind of computer simulation model. |
| Pilot | Pilot |
| However, Sir Liam's report, Medical Revalidation: Principle and Next Steps, said the full details of both strands of revalidation will be designed, consulted on and piloted over the next 18 months. | However, Sir Liam's report, Medical Revalidation: Principle and Next Steps, said the full details of both strands of revalidation will be designed, consulted on and piloted over the next 18 months. |
| Roll-out will start from 2009 and 2010 in England, although timings could differ elsewhere in the UK following discussion with the devolved administrations. | |
| Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the British Medical Association, said almost all doctors already went through an annual appraisal, which examined their continuing education, and prescribing habits. | Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the British Medical Association, said almost all doctors already went through an annual appraisal, which examined their continuing education, and prescribing habits. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme |
| He said the new system would take this a stage further, but while it was important to demonstrate to patients that doctors were keeping up to date, it was also vital that the assessments did not become too burdensome. | He said the new system would take this a stage further, but while it was important to demonstrate to patients that doctors were keeping up to date, it was also vital that the assessments did not become too burdensome. |
| He said: "We are anxious to see that any system is proportionate, that it does not take doctors unduly away from their patients, and that it is fair to doctors. | He said: "We are anxious to see that any system is proportionate, that it does not take doctors unduly away from their patients, and that it is fair to doctors. |
| "But in principle we support the idea that doctors should be looking to improve themselves." | "But in principle we support the idea that doctors should be looking to improve themselves." |
| However, Dr Martyn Lobley, a GP in London, warned it was not straightforward to assess a doctor's capabilities, as often the job was to tell people they were not ill. | However, Dr Martyn Lobley, a GP in London, warned it was not straightforward to assess a doctor's capabilities, as often the job was to tell people they were not ill. |
| "That is what this appraisal system really can't pick up on," he said. | "That is what this appraisal system really can't pick up on," he said. |
| Claire Rayner, president of the Patients Association, said: "I'm delighted. | Claire Rayner, president of the Patients Association, said: "I'm delighted. |
| "It's a complicated business, medicine, to say the least, and it is much too easy to say: 'All you have to do is get your qualification, shove up your plates, and get on with the job'." | "It's a complicated business, medicine, to say the least, and it is much too easy to say: 'All you have to do is get your qualification, shove up your plates, and get on with the job'." |