Quick answer
For your annual appraisal you need to collect, reflect on and discuss six types of supporting information set by the GMC. Over each five-year revalidation cycle you must also complete at least one formal patient feedback exercise, one colleague feedback exercise and one quality improvement activity. Your portfolio must describe your whole scope of practice, not just your main role.
The six types of GMC supporting information
| Type | How often | What counts (examples) |
|---|---|---|
| Continuing professional development (CPD) | Reflect and discuss every year | Courses, e-learning, reading, peer discussion, across your whole scope of practice |
| Quality improvement activity | At least once per five-year cycle | Clinical audit, review of significant events, case reviews, prescribing or referral data review |
| Significant events | Discuss at each appraisal as they arise | Events you were personally involved in; focus on learning and change |
| Patient feedback | Formal exercise at least once per cycle | GMC-compliant patient questionnaire (PSQ) |
| Colleague feedback | Formal exercise at least once per cycle | Multi-source feedback (MSF/360°) from a representative mix of colleagues |
| Compliments and complaints | Discuss at each appraisal | Any complaints you were named in, with reflection; compliments too |
Sources: GMC guidance on supporting information for revalidation; RCGP revalidation regulations and requirements.
What else your portfolio must contain
- Your personal details and GMC reference number
- The organisations and locations where you have worked since your last appraisal, and the roles held
- A comprehensive description of the scope and nature of your whole practice (including locum sessions, OOH, private work, teaching, CQC or appraisal roles)
- A record of your appraisals
- Your personal development plan (PDP) and progress against it
How many CPD hours or credits do I need?
The RCGP requirements page does not mandate a specific number of hours or credits; what matters is that your CPD covers your whole scope of practice and that you reflect on it each year.
The appraisal format: Medical Appraisal Guide 2022
NHS England follows the appraisal format described by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges in the Medical Appraisal Guide 2022, with the Medical Appraisal Template 2022 as its accompanying portfolio resource. The old MAG form is discontinued and no longer supported. Source: NHS England, Medical appraisal guide.
Checklist: the month before your appraisal
- Update your scope of practice; add any new roles
- Log the year’s CPD with brief reflections (what changed in your practice?)
- Check cycle progress: have you done your PSQ, MSF and QI activity this cycle?
- Write up any significant events and complaints with learning points
- Review last year’s PDP; mark off what you completed
- Draft next year’s PDP goals
FAQ
Do I need patient feedback every year?
No. A formal patient feedback exercise is required at least once in each five-year revalidation cycle, though more frequent feedback is encouraged.
What happens if I miss my appraisal deadline?
Talk to your appraisal team early. Where requirements cannot be met by your revalidation date, your responsible officer can recommend a deferral of between four months and one year.
Does locum work count towards my portfolio?
Yes. Your appraisal must cover your whole scope of practice, including locum and out-of-hours sessions. Keep a log as you go.
Do I need five appraisals before revalidation?
No. The GMC states there is no requirement to have five annual appraisals before a recommendation; collecting all supporting information normally takes at least two appraisals.
GP Tools includes a GMC-compliant patient survey (PSQ) and MSF 360° colleague feedback at no extra cost, with portfolios based on the Medical Appraisal Template. Every doctor’s first 12 months are free. Register at gptools.org.