Frequently Asked Questions

What is an appraisal?

An appraisal provides an opportunity for self-reflection about an individual’s scope of work and their progress with personal development and career ambitions. It provides an opportunity to set development goals for the year ahead. The appraisal is composed of 3 stages – input of supporting information, the appraisal discussion, output from the appraisal including the personal development plan agreed during the appraisal discussions. The annual appraisal also provides a report which forms part of the revalidation process with the GMC.

At Aspire Medical Appraisals, we believe that appraisals should be a positive and constructive process, focussed on an individual’s development goals and ambitions. We aim to ensure that our appraisals help individuals to Aspire to achieve. Importantly, appraisals are not an assessment of performance or an examination or a pass or fail event.

How do I arrange my appraisal with Aspire Medical Appraisals?

At Aspire Medical Appraisals, we aim to make the appraisal process as smooth and simple as possible for you. All you need to do is to send us a booking enquiry through the booking page or email us directly at admin@aspiremedicalappraisals.co.uk and let us know that you wish to organise an appraisal with us. We will then contact you to make all the required arrangements, provide support and guidance as required to ensure that your appraisal runs smoothly.

How do I arrange to receive any of the other services you offer?

All you need to do is to send us a booking enquiry through the booking page or email us at admin@aspiremedicalappraisals.co.uk and let us know which service you wish to organise and we will contact you to make the necessary arrangements, ensuring the process is as simple and smooth as possible.

What can I expect during my appraisal?

During your appraisal there will be discussions and a review of the supporting information in your portfolio, as well as discussions about your development and career plans and ambitions. These discussions will help to formulate your personal development plan for the next 12 months.

Your appraisal meeting will be professional, but also friendly and most importantly supportive and aimed at supporting your ambitions.

The appraisal will take place via Video link and it will last for approximately 1 hour.

Do you offer urgent appraisals?

Some independent appraisal providers offer urgent appraisals at additional cost. At Aspire Medical Appraisals we do not believe that the urgency of your appraisal should have any impact on the cost to you. In addition, we do not need to offer urgent appraisals, as all our appraisals are organised in a rapid and timely fashion in accordance with your requirements. The only requirement is that your appraisal portfolio is completed and ready to be appraised.

This my first appraisal and I don’t know what information is required

We fully appreciate the appraisal process can be daunting and confusing. If you are unsure what information you need to collect and include in your portfolio, we recommend that you take advantage of our pre-appraisal service.

I don’t have any supporting information for my appraisal

If there are gaps in your portfolio of supporting information we may suggest postponing your appraisal meeting to give you time to collate the information that you need to include in your portfolio. Our pre-appraisal support services will help if you are not sure what information is required. In addition, our portfolio management service will ensure your appraisal portfolio is always kept up to date and contains all the requirements for your forthcoming appraisals.

Are you a qualified appraiser?

In order for an appraiser to be able to complete an appraisal for a doctor who doesn’t have a designated body or suitable person, the appraiser must meet the following criteria. They must:

hold full registration and a licence to practise with the GMC
have a prescribed connection to a designated body (or a suitable person approved by the GMC)
be up to date with appraiser training
carry out appraisals for a designated body or approved suitable person
have carried out at least five appraisals in the 12 months preceding an appraisal of a doctor who doesn’t have a connection
have discussed and reflected on their role as an appraiser as part of their own whole practice appraisal
understand the context, scope and nature of work the appraisee doctor undertakes
not have a conflict of interest with the doctor they are appraising
not be in the process of licence of having their licence withdrawn

At Aspire Medical Appraisals, we can confirm that Dr Balcombe meets all the above criteria

Will I receive a certificate of appraisal?

Yes, after your appraisal you will receive an appraisal certificate signed by our Medical Director and Founder. You will receive this via email within 48 hours of completing your appraisal meeting. If you have purchased our ongoing portfolio management service, we will email your certificate to you and automatically upload it to your portfolio

What Medical Staff are you able to offer appraisals for?

Aspire Medical Appraisals is able to undertake appraisals for all doctors of all grades from F1 to Consultant level.

We are able to undertake appraisals for both UK and International Medical Graduates (IMG). However, please note that appraisals can only be undertaken in English and only for those doctors registered with the GMC.

We can deliver appraisals for doctors of any specialty but have particular expertise within the fields of General Medicine and all Medical specialities as well as Aesthetic Medicine.

Why Choose Aspire Medical Appraisals?

Whether you are connected to a designated body, a suitable person, or are following a GMC direct submission route, we offer a range of services to support your appraisals and revalidation process which comply fully with GMC requirements. We will also support you to Aspire to Achieve in your career and professional development. By choosing Aspire Medical Appraisals, you can be assured of receiving services which:

are timely, professional and supportive
are fully compliant with GMC appraisal and revalidation requirements
are delivered directly by a highly experienced and qualified appraiser
are focussed on you and your aspirations and professional development
support your whole appraisal and revalidation process
are affordable with no hidden costs
are convenient to access online at anytime
use modern accredited appraisal software via L2P and not the outdated MAG form,
maintain your confidentiality at all times
are fully compliant with GDPR regulations

How do I complete my appraisal portfolio?

When you book an appraisal with us, we will organise for you to have an account with L2P. We will set this up for you so that you can access it and upload your appraisal supporting information. We will give you help and support to understand how to use L2P. If you purchase our ongoing portfolio management service, we will upload any supporting information you provide to us.

Once your supporting information is uploaded, you will be ready for your appraisal.

What is Revalidation?

Revalidation is the process by which all GMC registered doctors with a license to practice are required to demonstrate to the GMC that they are fit to practise and able to retain their licence. This is required every 5 years. Demonstration of fitness to practise is provided through the annual appraisal process, with an expectation that during the revalidation cycle, 5 appraisals will take place providing cumulative evidence of fitness to practise in line with the GMCs Good Medical Practice guidelines.

Recommendations are usually made to the GMC about a doctor’s fitness to practise by the Responsible Officer for those connected to a designated body or suitable person. For those not connected to a designated body or without a suitable person, direct submission to the GMC can be made by an individual.

I do not have a designated body or suitable person. Can you do my appraisal?

Yes, we can do your appraisal. Following your appraisal, we will provide you with an appraisal certificate and complete the REV-12 form for you for submission to the GMC.

I have a designated body. Can you do my appraisal?

Yes, we can do your appraisal as long as you have obtained permission from your designated body for an external appraisal to take place.

I am currently not working. Should I still have an appraisal?

If you continue to have a licence to practise you should continue to engage in annual appraisal even if you are not working. In certain circumstances, appraisals can be deferred. Please contact us for any advice you require on your individual circumstances.

Can I choose not to have an appraisal?

If you wish to retain your GMC license to practice and continue to provide clinical services in the UK, it is a statutory requirement to participate in annual appraisals and the revalidation process cycle. There is no flexibility on this at all.

I work abroad but have a license to practice in the UK from the GMC. How do I revalidate?

If you choose to continue to hold your GMC license to practice in the UK, you will need to revalidate in the same way as doctors practising in UK.

What other services do you offer to support my revalidation?

At Aspire Medical Appraisals, we believe that the appraisal and revalidation process should be aimed at supporting your professional development in line with your personal aims and ambitions. Withi this in mind, as well as offering modern and affordable appraisals, we offer a range of other services in support of the appraisal and revalidation process, including:

Pre-appraisal support to help you prepare for your appraisal
Completion of REV-12 form for those undertaking direct submission to the GMC
Appraisal portfolio management
MSF service
Mandatory training service