In this section we present the key information that a responsible officer will need to manage effective processes within their designated body. Explore the Responsible Officer sub menu for more information. If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, please contact us.

Guidance and tools

• ROAN information sheets
• Medical Appraisal Guide (version 4, March 2013)
• MAG Model Appraisal Form (version 3, March 2012)
• Supporting Doctors to Provide Safer Healthcare: Responding to Concerns about a Doctor’s Practice (version 2, 2013)
• Information Management for Revalidation in England (version 4, January 2014)
• Quality Assurance of Medical Appraisers (version 5, January 2014)
• Training Specification for Medical Appraisers in England (April 2012)
• Sample Agreement for External Responsible Officer Services (May 2012)
• Practical Guide for responding to concerns about medical practice (March 2019)

Medical Appraisal Policy

• See the Medical Appraisal Guide page

Regulations and guidance

• The Medical Profession (Responsible Officers) (Amendment) Regulations 2013
  
• The Medical Profession (Responsible Officer) Regulations 2010
• Closing the Gap in Medical Regulation: Responsible Officer Guidance (Department of Health, 2010)

Supporting doctors who undertake a Low Volume of Work Guidance

The Supporting doctors who undertake a Low Volume of Work Guidance provides a framework for the management of doctors on the NHS England Medical Performers List who are undertaking a low volume (defined as fewer than 40 sessions per annum) of NHS General Practice (GP) clinical work. There are three areas of focus intended to achieve a consistent, transparent and supportive approach across NHS England:

1. Setting out the professional responsibilities of a doctor undertaking a low volume of NHS GP clinical work.
2. Defining a threshold for the definition of a low volume of clinical work and the subsequent management of appraisal.
3. Providing support for doctors undertaking a low volume of NHS GP clinical work and those appraising them.

This guidance has been the product of collaboration with input from key stakeholders including NHS England responsible officers (ROs), the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), the British Medical Association (BMA) and the General Medical Council (GMC). It is intended to provide clarity and reassurance to doctors on the NHS England Medical Performers List with regard to their professional requirements when undertaking a low volume of work, and to aid those appraising such doctors. It is recognised that there would be potential benefits of a similar approach being adopted across the United Kingdom, supporting the management of doctors working across geographical boundaries and reducing duplication of work and the administrative burden.