How will a short career break (for example maternity leave) affect my ability to revalidate?
This Blog explains the if a short career break can affect your ability to revalidate and hold your GMC registration.
From: http://www.fph.org.uk/frequently_asked_questions_on_gmc_revalidation
Your ability to revalidate should not be affected if you take a short career break within a five-year revalidation cycle. Our understanding from the GMC is that you will be expected to revalidate at the usual point in your five-year cycle on the basis of the supporting information you have collected and appraisals that you have attended within this time period. If you have been unable to collect sufficient supporting information for your appraisal, your RO may recommend a deferment of your revalidation to the GMC, in order to allow you to collect additional information.
Doctors who are unsure about their Responsible Officer arrangements during or after a career break can explore our Responsible Officer Services for dedicated support and guidance on maintaining compliance.
It is expected that doctors will want to take career breaks within their revalidation cycle, and there is flexibility in the process to manage this. If you do plan a break you should manage your appraisals around that break as far as possible, so that you do not miss an appraisal prior to going on leave. A 'return to work' appraisal may also be required by your employer. Some of the supporting information is required over the five-year cycle, not annually, so again this may be able to be managed around the career break. You should speak to your appraiser and RO to develop an agreed approach. It is advisable to try to keep your CPD in your clinical areas up to date even if you are not actively practising, ie. by attending specialist meetings or using distance learning.
The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has now drawn on various sources to produce guidance on return to practice: https://www.aomrc.org.uk/
Doctors returning from a career break who need to re-establish their clinical confidence and professional direction may also benefit from career coaching to help plan a structured and focused return to practice.
If you are returning from a break and need to rebuild your clinical exposure, our Observership & Clinical Attachment Programmes can provide a supported pathway back into active practice.
Still unsure about how your career break affects your revalidation timeline or appraisal obligations? Book an advisory call for clear, personalised guidance tailored to your situation.
For further information on medical appraisals and revalidation, kindly visit our Medical Appraisals & Revalidation.
Want to learn more? Watch our expert guidance on medical appraisals and revalidation on our YouTube channel.