'Tougher annual tests' for doctors

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

At present, all NHS trusts must appraise their doctors annually but the Government wants to tighten this up to ensure doctors are fit to offer safe care.

The new annual assessments will take account of patients' views, complaints or concerns, a doctor's prescribing habits and any personal issues which might affect their work such as drug or alcohol abuse.

Patients will be asked for details on how their doctor communicates, including how well he or she explains and listens.

The degree to which patients are involved in decisions about their treatment and whether they are treated with dignity and respect will also be taken into account.

The checks will be overseen at a local level by a "responsible officer" - usually a medical director - who will ensure the appraisal is carried out to a good standard and will work with doctors to address any shortfalls or concerns.

The report, published by the Chief Medical Officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson, said the "current NHS appraisal is patchy and not fit for relicensing across the country as a whole".

The study, Medical Revalidation: Principle and Next Steps, also sets out how doctors must keep up to date with medical advances.

One of the results would be to weed out poor performers among the UK's 150,000 doctors.

Last year, the Government published a White Paper which set out the process of "revalidation" for doctors ever five years. The new annual assessments will feed into this process of revalidation, which has been seen as the biggest shake-up of medical regulation in a generation.