Recommendation BRIS-97: Differentiate revalidation for managers maintaining clinical practice and those restarting after retraining
From Bristol Heart Inquiry — Final Report, published 18 July 2001.
Recommendation
To facilitate the movement of clinicians in and out of managerial positions, the proposed systems for the revalidation (and re-registration) of doctors, nurses and professions allied to medicine should distinguish between professionals who are managers and also maintaining a clinical practice and those who are not. Those who are not maintaining a clinical practice should be entitled to obtain the appropriate revalidation (and re-registration) to restart a clinical practice, after retraining, and should be assisted in doing so. (See Recommendation 95.)
Government response
No government response to this recommendation is on the record yet.
Delivery
DHSC and NHS England say not accepted (27 February 2026)
This recommendation was not accepted by the Government.
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 “Not accepted”. Table row: section 6.2 No. 97, PDF page 114.
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 rejected this recommendation.
In its January 2002 response, the Department of Health said it did not believe it possible to prescribe a minimum level of regular clinical practice to suit all specialties. When revalidating or re-registering, health professionals would need to provide evidence they were competent to practice, with advisory and support services available as part of the appraisal process for those outside substantive employment.
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. 97, PDF page 103.
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- DHSC and NHS England
Delivery statement - Thirlwall Inquiry legal team
Finding