FPM Designated Body Policies and Documents

This policy is in abeyance due to the pandemic. Currently appraisals are being held via videoconference.

Face to face appraisal remains the preferred approach to optimise the quality of the interaction and develop the most productive professional connection. Consequently, all appraisals must take place face to face and video conference appraisals are not permitted unless permission is sought and granted in writing from the Responsible Officer before the meeting date. Appraisal by telephone without video facilities is not acceptable. NHS England guidance states that ‘technology assisted appraisals’ are not normally permitted, can only be used on rare occasions ‘where circumstances present insurmountable obstacles to a face to face meeting’ and where a postponement ‘would cause more harm than good’. Geographical aspects alone will not be accepted as reasonable circumstances for a telephone or video conference appraisal.

If it becomes apparent that a video conference appraisal will be necessary, the appraisee needs to contact the Responsible Officer at the earliest possible date, working with their allocated appraiser to provide the following information:

• Why a face-to-face appraisal meeting cannot be arranged within the three-month appraisal window.
• The earliest date that it is likely a face-to-face appraisal meeting could take place.
• How long the appraisee is likely to be abroad (if applicable).
• Whether this issue is likely to arise in future years.
• For appraisals taking place via video conferencing the appraisee must pay any costs that arise.

Technology assisted appraisals are a ‘one off’ to manage very exceptional circumstances so if working abroad and undergoing a face-to-face appraisal meeting is likely to present an ongoing problem, the doctor should seriously consider relinquishing their UK licence since it is not required for work abroad. The process for regaining the licence after voluntarily relinquishing is simple and quick: http://www.gmc-uk.org/doctors/registration_applications/relinquish_options.asp

An approved video conference appraisal must take place under the same conditions as a face to face meeting – appraiser and appraisee must book a sufficient amount of time for the meeting and be in a private and quiet environment free from distractions or interruptions. They must also ensure that they have familiarised themselves with the technology before the meeting is scheduled to begin to minimise delays.

If there are any questions, please do contact revalidation@fpm.org.uk

The above policy has been updated to reflect the guidance issued by NHS England in July 2019.

This policy provides guidance to appraisers who have appraisees undertaking cosmetic interventions based on the GMC’s ‘Guidance for doctors who offer cosmetic interventions’. Cosmetic interventions refers to any intervention, procedure or treatment carried out with the primary objective of changing an aspect of a patient’s physical appearance. This includes surgical and non-surgical procedures, both invasive and non-invasive. If your appraisee performs cosmetic interventions, the questions in the above document can act as a guide for an appraiser led discussion of this element of the appraisee’s scope of practice. The full GMC guidance can be found here

It is an FPM requirement for doctors with any clinical work, including patient or volunteer contact, to include an informal review from their consultant or equivalent manager in the clinical setting, as part of their annual evidence. The full policy can be found here.

For those who perform clinical work this will provide the extra evidence to the appraiser and reassurance to the Responsible Officer that all aspects of a doctor’s work are captured and available for discussion.

This review (terminology differs but it may be referred to as a performance review, clinical review, an internal, company or a corporate appraisal, a practice review, etc) will be in addition to providing the supporting evidence mandated by the GMC for clinical work, so that the portfolio has documented evidence to support practice across the whole scope of work (CPD, QIA, SEs complaints, etc).

This applies to those who are working in Phase 1 and Phase 2 units as well as all doctors with direct patient contact, e.g. those with clinical attachments in the NHS, private medicine, etc. If you receive, through the course of your clinical work, a review or appraisal connected to such work then it should be uploaded to PReP and appropriately titled ready for your appraisal meeting.

The inclusion of this clinical review / appraisal does not replace the annual Faculty appraisal; it is a piece of supporting information for the Faculty appraisal.