U.K. doctors will face annual assessments of competence

U.K. Doctors will face annual assessments so that licences can be removed from poor performers under proposals from England Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson. GPs, hospital consultants, and private practitioners will also have to renew their licences every five years under the plans. Senior doctors will be asked to assess others who are practicing in their area to ensure they are not putting patients at risk, and patients will also be asked for their feedback during the assessment process. Donaldon’s report, Medical Revalidation: Principle and Next Steps, will also suggest steps to ensure that doctors keep up to date with medical advances.