NHS managers could face removal

The Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has warned NHS managers that they will be removed and replaced if they fail to meet the foundation trust deadline in 2014. There are still 69 remaining acute hospital trusts yet to become clinically and financially stable in order to gain foundation trust...

Why every PCT and SHA should have at least one GP on their board

GPs have the opportunity to shape the NHS of the future – and we have a responsibility to ensure that they step up to the plate and seize that opportunity, says Professor Steve Field

As leader of the Royal College of General Practitioners, I know that my colleagues across the country are already seen as clinical leaders in their practices and in their local communities. GPs often hold a hard-won place at the heart of...

Andrew Lansley announces ‘liberation’ of the NHS

Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley has set out the Government's plans to reform the NHS during this Parliament.

The White Paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS details how the coalition government intends for power to be ‘devolved from Whitehall to patients and professionals’.

The paper claims that NHS professionals will be ‘free to focus on improving health outcomes...

GMC will be flexible and pragmatic

The GMC has reassured doctors that it will be flexible and pragmatic in applying rules about when professional examinations can be taken.

This promise was contained in a joint statement from the GMC and a range of key organisations which sets out an action plan for addressing a number of concerns on this subject which have been raised by trainees.

The GMC has worked with the...

Mersey revalidation appraisal pilot completed

The RCP piloted the GMC Appraisal Framework in secondary care in the Mersey region on behalf of the Revalidation Support Team and the report was presented to the UK Programme Board. 

The pilot included an exploration of what supporting information might be available and of the new appraisal process, and was supported by an electronic toolkit developed by the Revalidation Support Team. The RCP role was to co-ordinate and run the pilot...