A revalidation process has been introduced for members of the Institute of General Practice Management (IGPM) that aims to reinforce the professional standards of the practice manager role.
The move comes as the IGPM marks five years from the launch of its register for managers working in general practice – which provides the only recognised and academically developed accreditation in the UK, and is acknowledged by stakeholders including NHS England and the CQC.
Revalidation will now take place every five years and apply to those who have achieved Member of the Institute of General Practice Management (MIGPM) status.
The IGPM said it is an important process that reflects both the professionalism of members and supports them in remaining committed to their ongoing development and learning.
The organisation also said it reinforces its position that ‘external regulation is unnecessary ‘since a robust and proportionate framework….that clearly demonstrates our commitment to accountability, quality, and continuous improvement’ is already in place.
Revalidation will be free (as it is included as part of the accredited membership fee). Appraisal will form a key part of the process to ensure that performance is objectively reviewed and that goals and targets are set that enable an individual to continue to contribute to the success and development of their practice or PCN.
To prepare, members should ensure they have up-to-date appraisals, supported by the IGPM’s appraisal toolkit. They will also have to keep a reflective log of their key achievements over the revalidation period using a CPD log which will be sent out.
Robyn Clark, IGPM director and accreditation lead said revalidation is central to any accreditation process.
‘The IGPM’s commitment to ongoing CPD, personal and professional growth and reflective practice doesn’t end when MIGPM is awarded, but is something we want to embed as standard practice in our careers.
‘Similar to our clinical colleagues, we strive for continuous improvement, to build stronger networks and relationships, to expand our knowledge and experience in an environment that is ever-changing. Revalidation reinforces this and also ensures a consistent standard that we expect from our members.
She added that: ‘Revalidation also provides a key element of the regulatory framework that IGPM accreditation provides – ensuring that our members retain the highest standards associated with their registration.’
