Medical Appraisals for Doctors | GMC-Compliant | PLAB Guide Academy
Clinical Medical Appraisals
Professional, supportive appraisals for every doctor at every stage.
PLAB Guide Academy provides independent GMC-compliant medical appraisals for doctors across all specialties, grades and employment types โ including consultants, SAS doctors, trainees, locums, GPs and internationally trained doctors working in the UK.
Section 01
What Is a Medical Appraisal?
Medical appraisal is a mandatory annual process for all licensed doctors in the UK. It is a structured, confidential conversation between a doctor and their trained appraiser that supports reflection on practice, professional development, and personal wellbeing.
Appraisal feeds directly into revalidation โ the GMC process through which doctors demonstrate they remain up to date and fit to practise. Every five years, a Responsible Officer uses outputs from your appraisals to support a revalidation recommendation to the GMC.
At PLAB Guide Academy, our appraisers are experienced clinicians trained to the national standard. We provide a supportive, thorough, and professionally delivered appraisal that meets all GMC requirements โ wherever you work and whatever your grade.
Key Facts
Annual Requirement
Every licensed doctor must have an appraisal each year
Feeds Revalidation
5 years of appraisals = 1 revalidation cycle
Confidential Process
Supportive and forward-looking, not performative
GMC Framework 2024
Fully aligned to Good Medical Practice
Section 02
Who We Appraise
We provide appraisals for doctors across the full spectrum of grades, specialties and employment types. If you are a licensed doctor in the UK, we can appraise you.
Consultants
NHS, private practice, or mixed portfolio. We manage all documentation and ensure full GMC compliance for your revalidation cycle.
SAS Doctors
Specialty Doctors and Associate Specialists. We understand the unique challenges of the SAS grade and deliver appraisals that reflect your distinct career pathway.
Locum Doctors
Short-term and long-term locums, including those without a designated Responsible Officer. We can act as your appraiser and support your RO arrangements.
GPs
Partners, salaried GPs, portfolio GPs and GP locums. Appraisals tailored to primary care, including those with additional roles in education or management.
Trainees & IMTs
Core Medical Trainees, IMT doctors and specialty registrars requiring independent appraisal support or development-focused review outside of ARCP.
International Medical Graduates
IMGs new to the UK system receive additional guidance on NHS appraisal expectations, portfolio evidence, and aligning overseas CPD to GMC standards.
Specialties We Cover
Section 03
What Your Appraisal Covers
Structured around the four domains of Good Medical Practice (2024), your appraisal will cover all required evidence and reflect meaningfully on your practice.
Domain 1
Knowledge, Skills & Performance
Maintaining clinical knowledge, keeping skills up to date, quality improvement activity, audit and clinical governance participation.
Domain 2
Safety & Quality
Significant events, complaints, compliments, learning from outcomes, and contribution to a safe clinical environment.
Domain 3
Communication, Partnership & Teamwork
Multi-source feedback (MSF / 360), patient feedback, colleague feedback, and reflection on working relationships.
Domain 4
Maintaining Trust
Probity, health declarations, personal conduct, and reflection on professional values in line with the updated GMP framework.
Additionally Covered in Your Appraisal
Section 04
How It Works
Book Your Appraisal
Select a date that suits you โ in person at PLAB Guide Academy or via secure video call. We confirm your booking and send you a pre-appraisal preparation pack.
Prepare Your Portfolio
Gather your supporting information: CPD log, MSF / 360 feedback, significant events, complaints and compliments, quality improvement activity, and your previous PDP. We provide a checklist to guide you.
Pre-Appraisal Review
Your appraiser reviews your submitted supporting information before your meeting, enabling a more focused and productive discussion on the day.
The Appraisal Meeting
A structured 60โ90 minute conversation covering all four GMP domains. Supportive, thorough, and conducted in a safe, confidential space. In-person or remote.
Summary & PDP
Your appraiser produces a written appraisal summary and agrees a new Personal Development Plan with you. Both are provided for your records and for submission to your Responsible Officer.
Submission & Sign-off
We support you in submitting the completed appraisal output. For locums and doctors without a designated RO, we can advise on the appropriate submission route including NHS England's Responsible Officer service.
Section 05
Why PLAB Guide Academy?
Trained & Experienced Appraisers
All our appraisers are GMC-compliant, trained to the national standard, and are practising or recently retired clinicians with broad specialty experience.
IMG & Locum Specialists
Particular expertise with international medical graduates and locum doctors who may face additional complexity in organising their appraisal and revalidation arrangements.
Flexible Delivery
In-person at our centre or by secure video call โ you choose what works for your schedule. Evening and weekend slots available for busy clinicians.
Full Documentation Support
We handle the paperwork. Pre-appraisal packs, summary completion, PDP documentation, and guidance on submission to your RO โ all included.
Completely Confidential
Your appraisal is confidential. All information is handled securely in line with GMC guidance on appraisal confidentiality and data protection law.
Quick Turnaround
Appointments available within days, not months. Ideal if you have a revalidation deadline approaching or are new to the UK and need to get your appraisal on track quickly.
Section 06
Appraisal Fees
Standard
ยฃ180
Remote / video appraisal
- โ GMC-compliant appraisal
- โ All 4 GMP domains
- โ Written summary & PDP
- โ Secure video call
In-Person
ยฃ220
At PLAB Guide Academy centre
- โ GMC-compliant appraisal
- โ All 4 GMP domains
- โ Written summary & PDP
- โ Face-to-face meeting
- โ Refreshments provided
Locum / IMG Package
ยฃ260
Remote or in-person
- โ Everything in Standard
- โ RO guidance & support
- โ Overseas CPD alignment
- โ Portfolio gap guidance
- โ Revalidation checklist
All fees include pre-appraisal pack, the appraisal meeting, written summary, and Personal Development Plan. Group or organisational rates available โ contact us for details.
Section 07
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm a locum doctor without a Responsible Officer โ can I still get an appraisal?
Yes. Many locum and portfolio doctors lack a designated RO. We can appraise you and advise on the correct route for submission, including NHS England's Responsible Officer service for locums and the Performers List. We deal with this regularly.
I trained overseas and my CPD is not all UK-based. Is that a problem?
No. Overseas CPD is entirely acceptable and we are experienced at helping IMGs map international activities to the GMC framework. Your appraiser will help you present your supporting information in a way that meets UK standards.
What supporting information do I need to bring to my appraisal?
As a minimum: CPD record (at least 50 hours over the revalidation cycle), 360/MSF feedback, patient feedback, significant events and complaints log, any compliments, quality improvement activity, and your previous PDP. We send a full preparation checklist when you book.
How long does the appraisal take?
The meeting itself typically takes 60โ90 minutes. We allow up to 2 hours to avoid feeling rushed. Please allow additional time beforehand to submit your supporting information, ideally at least 5 working days before your appointment.
Is this appraisal accepted by my Responsible Officer / NHS Trust?
We conduct appraisals fully in line with GMC and NHS England standards. Most trusts and ROs accept independent appraisals conducted to this standard. If you are unsure, contact your RO in advance and we can provide documentation about our process.
I have a revalidation deadline approaching. Can I book at short notice?
Yes โ this is one of the most common reasons doctors come to us. We keep a number of short-notice slots available each month for exactly this situation. Contact us directly and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Section 08
Book Your Appraisal
Mention a date and format below. In-person and remote slots are updated monthly. Evening and weekend availability on request. You will receive a phone call within fewย minutes to hours to arrange your formal appraisal. Fee will be charged only if we reach an agreement.
Fill the form below with as much information as possible to understand your needs and allocate our appraiser appropriately.
We can offer you appraisal services on short notice as well (additional fee may apply).
PLAB Guide Academy
Ready for Your Annual Appraisal?
Book your GMC-compliant medical appraisal with PLAB Guide Academy. Supportive, thorough, and delivered by experienced clinicians.