GP Appraisal FAQs

Please follow the links below:

Do I have to have an appraisal?

If you do not you will have difficulty in fulfilling your contract with the PCT and remain on the performers list. Despite the current upheaval in regard to revalidation you will need to collect some type of evidence!

Do I have a choice of appraiser?

You are sent the name of your appraiser, if you wish to change please ask Bucks Shared Services to arrange this. Once you agree your appraiser, they are then given your name. It is up to you to contact them to arrange a date.

Money?

All available appraisal funding for GP appraisal has been passed to the practices, it is in the global sum. No further funding is given to appraisees working within an organisation, e.g. a practice or the PCT. Those working as locums need to undertake an appraisal in order to be on the PCT performers list. Locums do not need to pay for this, nor do they get paid for it

Can an appraiser refuse to do the appraisal?

The PCT has a responsibility to provide the appraiser, the appraisee must make time for the preparation and appraisal interview. Appraisers have the right to refuse to undertake an appraisal if the portfolio is not of an adequate standard to do the appraisee justice, or if the appraisers’ folder is not received in adequate time.

Does my appraiser receive payment?

Yes from the PCT. Each appraiser will be paid £474 per appraisal. This is for the review of the portfolio and the hours spent with you during the appraisal. The payment also includes the time spent in ongoing training and updates. It is an investment in your future and a cost borne at present by the PCT. A competency framework ensures that all

appraisers are assessed. All new appraisers are trained and assessed using this framework, it will come into play for all GP appraisers in Buckinghamshire in 2007. There is an appraiser group across the new PCT to support the quality of the process.

Where do I get help with the form and examples of the tools and forms that others use?

This dedicated website for GP appraisal is now up and running, however it is a work in progress so please do offer constructive suggestions. Examples of tools and appraisal information are on this website. The same site provides useful links to other web resources and information on local courses.

What if I am going on maternity leave soon?

You should decide if you wish to have your appraisal before or after. It would be easier to prepare before but the educational plan may be skewed by the delivery!

What if I am due to retire in the near future?

An appraisal is a developmental process that is not solely for your professional development. Discussions during an appraisal about retirement and the preparation for retirement might be the most developmentally helpful decision. But remember that revalidation starts in 2005. This has changed and is under review Jan 2005.

What if I am on extended sick leave?

You need to still have an appraisal but can delay this. You need to inform Bucks Shared Services so that you stop receiving reminder notes and it may be useful to inform your allocated appraiser so that they are aware and can accommodate you on your return to work.

What if I hold a contract with someone else e.g. University?

GP appraisal is for doctors in primary care and the appraisal process is directed towards that role. Other roles that are undertaken should be appraised by the organisation responsible. Educationalists employed by the Deanery will be appraised by the Deanery for the role that they undertake in addition to the GP Appraisal process.

It seems sensible that the same documentation should be used as much as possible. The streamlining of multiple appraisal processes currently undertaken by some is ongoing.

What if I am a GPwSI?

At present this is under review. The role of GPwSI will be contracted by the PCT and they will wish to appraise (or even performance manage!) that role. Funding will decide. At present keep all evidence of all roles in the portfolio and have PDP elements for both.

What if I am on the FCS/return to practice or GP retainer scheme?

You will be on the supplementary list of your PCT and therefore they will be able to provide an appraiser for you. You should be able to negotiate time from your practice work to undertake the appraisal.

Who sees the appraisal summaries and feedback?

You and your appraiser see the summary. The PDP needs to be sent to the CPD tutor. These are not shared and are confidential. The PDP contents then inform GP education planning, however each one will also be replied to with individualised information and support depending on the content of the PDP. For this to occur you will need to put your name on it. This feedback on the PDP will also be useful for your revalidation work and future PDPs.

What about the individual appraisal feedback sheets?

Feedback sheets are anonymous at present and the information is shared with appraisers and collated anonymously for the Deanery. If appraisers have not had feedback they will be unable to provide evidence of effectiveness, a requirement for the post. You are therefore requested to complete these sheets and return them with your PDP, or in a separate envelope if necessary.

So what goes where?

Two pieces of Form 4, the signed declaration and the PDP are shared. The rest is confidential between you and the appraiser. Appraisees send PDPand feedback sheets to the address below. Appraisers send feedback sheet and fee claim form to address below. This applies for all appraisals from October 1 2006 onwards.

What is form four?

Form 4 has three sections.

The first is a summary of the appraisal discussion that is completed at the end of the appraisal. It states that it should be completed by the appraiser, but that does not fit with the developmental aspects of the process. Logically, it should be completed by the appraisee, but one may need the assistance of the appraiser. Therefore a joint approach would appear to be the best. This should be kept by the appraisee and reviewed and shared for the next appraisal. It should not be shared with anyone else.

The second is the PDP and sets out the plan for the appraisee with specific detail and times (SMART is the term). This is sent to the appraisal lead in the PCT / CPD tutor. (Marion Lynch) The contents are then anonymised into a list of educational activities for the organisational educational plan. This is essential if any activity is going to be useful in addressing patient care ad GP educational needs. A personal response is also sent detailing individual support and signposting to educational resources/ activities such as shadowing opportunities, local courses, locally available resources.

The third is a signed statement of satisfactory completion of the appraisal that needs to be held by the PCT. This is also sent to the GP Appraisal Lead.

Can I use the www/toolkit and if so how does this work?

Yes you can. It is only an electronic set of forms that are stored confidentially and centrally to enable individuals to complete easily. It is planned that it is then available to

the appraiser on line to minimise the transfer of information. The electronic method is presently supported through an administrator of the site. This is Arooj Khan.

Revalidation – how will this work?

Whatever the new approach entails, it is likely that the process will require the collection of data about performance and individual aspects, much of which will be undertaken by the PCT (e.g. QOF data,) and yourself (e.g. patient satisfaction surveys, 360 feedback). The evidence collected by the individual will probably include the satisfactory completion document of the appraisal.

How do I become an appraiser?

To become an appraiser you need to apply to the Appraisal lead, be interviewed and endorsed by the PCT and then attend Appraiser Training provided by the PGMDE and RCGP. We aim to have a 1:10 ration Appraisers: Appraisees and recruitment is dependant on maintaining this ratio. The training is a two day training programme after which you are assessed. There is therefore a selection process, job description, contract and criteria to be met.

Who should undertake the appraisal of GP registrars?

The Trainer. As they are doctors in training the Deanery is responsible for ensuring that they understand the GP appraisal system and are prepared for an appraisal when they enter practice. Trainers will ensure that the GP appraisal system is part of their training, and that they experience an appraisal in the last few months of their GP year. It is not the PCT’s responsibility, despite their inclusion on the performers list, and no payment is available to trainers or registrars to undertake this.

What education is available for GPs?

There are numerous programmes of education advertised on the Deanery website (www.oxford-pgmde.co.uk) ranging from full masters degrees programmes to residential short courses on such things as dealing with challenging patients.

Local provision can be via the County Practice Staff Team Training Manual, published by Christina Machan who works with all PCTs in Buckinghamshire (www.countytraining.buckshealth.nhs.uk).

Wendy Lee is a Primary Care Specialist. She is responsible for ensuring that practice nurses have access to courses, continually updating them and developing their skills. These courses are also available for GPs, as advertised in practices and on the website.

CPD educational sessions are run monthly at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, alternating between evenings and afternoons, sometimes in Protected Time.

A non-principal group runs during PLT at present at SMH focussing on the specific needs of non-principals.

Details are on the PGMDE website and the bucks training website. They are also sent to all Practices within the PCT. Your responses to questionnaires and your PDPs create the programme contents.