It is essential that the revalidation of doctors includes locums, according to Kate Harris, commercial director of healthcare staffing agency PULSE.

Harris told Recruiter: “While we welcome the revalidation process, it’s essential that it covers locum doctors. Temporary workers, as well as workers from overseas, form an important part of the NHS workforce so it’s vital that they are accounted for within any new measures introduced.”

Harris’s comments follow the General Medical Council’s (GMC) launching of a consultation on revalidation which runs until 4 June. The GMC says that revalidation will  provide further assurance that the 218,000 doctors with a licence to practise medicine in the UK are up to date and fit to practise.

Harris adds: “Locum doctors and staffing agencies have a crucial role to play in helping the NHS to meet its resourcing needs, so any measure that further validates the extensive and regular checks that we carry out on our candidates has got to be a positive thing.” 

For more information visit: www.gmc-uk.org/revalidation