The Blog incorporates information originally published by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges in their Appraisal Guide (the original article can be downloaded here).

Responsible Officer Regulations

The Responsible Officer has statutory responsibilities under The Medical Profession (Responsible Officers) Regulations 2010 and The Medical Profession (Responsible Officers) (Amendment) Regulations 2013, or The Medical Profession (Responsible Officers) Regulations (NI) 2010 and accompanying guidance (Department of Health NI). 

Responsible Officer Duties

These include maintaining effective professional governance systems in their organisation, including medical appraisal, responding to concerns about a doctor’s fitness to practise whenever they occur, and making periodic recommendations to the GMC about the doctor’s suitability for revalidation. Local considerations may therefore result in additional requirements for medical appraisal not described in this guidance. Better governance and appraisal systems support doctors in developing their practice. They also enable earlier identification of doctors whose practice needs attention, or who need help, allowing for more timely and effective intervention.

Doctors working in management in NHS-E Trusts and private clinics will have to work closely with the Responsible Officer with regards to Policies and Procedures aligning them with the organisations and Responsible Officers office.