South Tyne FT overhauls appraisal for senior medics

Minutes of an FT board of directors meeting show it heard that a “robust medical appraisal system was necessary in order to meet the demands of medical revalidation”.

A new computer system has been commissioned to run it.

The trust has also put in place a new policy, Managing Development Needs in Medical Appraisal, which is a “step by step guide to deal with doctors who had development needs or who may be underperforming”.

Minutes say: “[Board] members noted that 16 appraisers had been identified and those 16 people would undertake all medical staff appraisals which was a considerable workload.” It was confirmed that “some appraisals may be undertaken by external appraisers”.