Doctors’ ‘remedial plan’ not to be taken as raising concerns about fitness to practice

Your report has caused unnecessary concern and worry to islanders which could easily have been avoided by simple background research or by contacting me.

The ‘remedial plans’ referred to are agreed plans for a doctor to get all their evidence in place for revalidation with the GMC, which they must do every five years. This happens when the doctor hasn’t managed to do that in the normal time, and reasons may be as mundane as having a late appraisal due to sickness or maternity leave, or waiting for some patient feedback forms to arrive, for example.

If the doctor engages with the process, then we agree a plan, and ask the GMC to give them a little more time to get everything in place. If they do not engage with the process, then there is a problem.

Guernsey doctors are exceptionally good at completing their appraisals and getting ready for revalidation. The number of such deferrals over the years here is much lower than in the UK, or in the other Crown Dependencies. Of the four doctors who needed more time last year, three have already revalidated (two in 2022 and one so far this year), and the other has their next appraisal scheduled for later in 2023.

In short, this should not be taken as raising concerns about the fitness to practice of the doctors involved. If I have concerns about that, there are other processes to be followed.

DR PETER RABEY

Responsible Officer

States of Guernsey