Recommendation BRIS-88: Mandate periodic revalidation for all healthcare professionals in employment contracts
From Bristol Heart Inquiry — Final Report, published 18 July 2001.
Recommendation
Periodic revalidation, whereby healthcare professionals demonstrate that they remain fit to practise in their chosen profession, should be compulsory for all healthcare professionals. The requirement to participate in periodic revalidation should be included in the contract of employment.
Government response
No government response to this recommendation is on the record yet.
Delivery
DHSC and NHS England say in progress (27 February 2026)
Please see response to Recommendation 46 (Professional Standards)
There are a number of professional regulatory bodies which have revalidation requirements in place for healthcare professionals.
• General Medical Council
• Nursing and Midwifery Council
• Health and Care Professionals Council.
Site note: DHSC and NHS England's own account of progress, supplied to the Thirlwall Inquiry in September 2024 and printed in the Inquiry legal team's Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version dated April 2025, published 27 February 2026). It is not a finding of the Inquiry. Their reviewed extent of implementation reads “Implemented – Ongoing”. Table row: section 6.2 No. 88, PDF page 110-111.
What other bodies have found
In their own words. These do not change the delivery statement above.
Thirlwall Inquiry legal team (15 May 2024)
The Government agreed with this recommendation.
In its January 2002 response, the Department of Health said it was working with the General Medical Council to introduce revalidation for all doctors and that it would work with other regulatory and professional bodies to ensure a consistent approach for all health professionals.
Revalidation requirements for doctors were not introduced by the General Medical Council until December 2012. Revalidation requirements for nurses were not introduced until April 2016.
Site note: The Thirlwall Inquiry legal team's own notes on implementation, from its Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version of 15 May 2024). The review does not colour its Extent of Implementation cell for this recommendation green; it leaves the cell uncoloured where a recommendation was rejected, where evidence of implementation was insufficient, or where steps had been taken but implementation was not yet complete. Table row: section 6.2 No. 88, PDF page 100.
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- DHSC and NHS England
Delivery statement - Thirlwall Inquiry legal team
Finding