Support Your Revalidation System with Independent Quality Assurance. Ensure your GMC designated body is fully compliant with the GMC revalidation process through our independent quality assurance (EQA) review. Led by experienced medical appraisers, our service helps identify gaps, highlight good practices, and support your Responsible Officer in achieving regulatory excellence.
Why Is This Service Important?
All GMC designated bodies must comply with the Responsible Officer Regulations and the Framework of Quality Assurance (FQA). To meet GMC requirements, an external quality assurance review is recommended at least once every five-year cycle. This not only ensures compliance but also strengthens your appraisal and revalidation systems for doctors, including locum doctors.
A robust EQA (External Quality Assurance) can:
- Present the higher-level Responsible Officer with proof of compliance.
- Validate the effectiveness of medical appraisals and revalidation processes.
- Safeguard professional standards and patient safety.
What We Do?
Our team of senior appraisers, including Prof Rehan Kazi, Dr Omar Ghazanfar, and Dr Ewa Wolska, conducts a structured EQA review aligned with GMC and NHS guidelines. Whether you're a new or long-standing designated body GMC recognises, we offer comprehensive support to meet your obligations.
We provide:
- Independent evaluation of your revalidation systems.
- Detailed reporting on compliance with FQA core standards.
- Identification of areas for improvement.
- Identifying and raising any issues with fitness to practice.
- Recognition of best practices to be shared across networks.
Ready to demonstrate compliance and strengthen your revalidation systems?
Book your external quality assurance review today.
FAQs
A GMC designated body is an organisation responsible for the appraisal and revalidation of licensed doctors. If your organisation appears on the GMC designated body list, you're required to follow the GMC’s Responsible Officer Regulations and support compliance with regular External Quality Assurance (EQA) reviews.
✔ This applies to:
- NHS trusts and boards
- Private hospitals
- Locum agencies
- Independent healthcare providers
- Medical staffing companies
While not legally mandatory, the GMC strongly recommends every designated body undergoes an External Quality Assurance (EQA) review at least once every five years. This ensures:
- Ongoing compliance with the Framework of Quality Assurance (FQA)
- Your revalidation system is fit for purpose
- Higher-level Responsible Officers have verified, third-party assurance
- Your organisation maintains a robust approach to patient safety
An EQA review for a GMC designated body is a structured, independent audit of your revalidation systems, typically including:
- ✔ Independent evaluation of appraisals and governance
- ✔ Compliance check with GMC FQA core standards
- ✔ Identification of risks or system gaps
- ✔ Recognition of good practices and fitness-to-practice safeguards
- ✔ A detailed, actionable report for your Responsible Officer
This service is vital whether you're newly added to the GMC designated body list or already established.
The GMC recommends that designated bodies undertake an External Quality Assurance review every five years to stay aligned with best practices in clinical governance.
✔ Regular EQA helps your RO:
- Validate compliance during revalidation cycles
- Prepare for GMC audits or inspections
- Address appraisal quality inconsistencies
- Foster a stronger appraisal culture within your organisation
Locum agencies listed as GMC designated bodies are responsible for revalidating doctors under their care. External Quality Assurance is critical for these agencies because:
- Locum doctors often work across multiple settings, increasing risk
- Quality assurance ensures appraisal systems are consistent and GMC-compliant
- It supports the Responsible Officer in verifying the credibility of locum doctor portfolios
- It offers proof of compliance if ever audited by the GMC
At Medical Appraisals, our External Quality Assurance reviews are led by experienced senior appraisers, including:
- ✔ Prof Rehan Kazi
- ✔ Dr Omar Ghazanfar
- ✔ Dr Ewa Wolska
These experts bring deep regulatory and clinical knowledge to ensure your revalidation systems align with the GMC designated body requirements and national governance standards.
Booking an EQA review is simple with Medical Appraisals. Whether you’re newly added to the GMC designated body list or preparing for a five-year compliance cycle, we’ll guide you through:
- ✔ Scheduling your independent review
- ✔ Preparing documentation and appraisal data
- ✔ Receiving a detailed report with compliance scores and improvement tips
Yes, Professor Rehan Kazi can do your appraisal as long as you have the clear permission from your DB for an outside appraisal.