Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register and where do I obtain the documentation?
Please click the link GP Appraisal - Essential Documents for information.
Can I choose my appraiser?
The list of appraisers can be found at the top of this page. National guidelines recommend that doctors change their appraiser every 3 years.
Do I get paid for my appraisal?
Your status at the 1st April of a particular year will determine your entitlement to a £300 payment. Doctors who are partners and part-time partners get paid through their practice global sum or global sum equivalent. All other status’ will be paid by NIMDTA on receipt of a fully completed Form 6. A payment of £300 will be processed and paid by BACS to the appraisee within approx 4 weeks of receipt of the Form 6.
Can I choose an appraiser from another geographical area?
We would encourage you to choose an appraiser from your area, but it is not essential.
What forms need to be returned after my appraisal?
Click on the following link - GP Appraisal - Essential Documents. There is a section "AFTER YOUR APPRAISAL" that details the forms to be returned.
Do I have to complete a GP appraisal every year?
Yes, appraisal is a contractual obligation. Non-participation is referred to the HSCB. The BSO is informed and inclusion on the Primary Medical Performers List (PMPL) may be affected. A GP must be on to the PMPL in order to provide a clinical service in General Practice regardless of status.
What happens if I miss my GP appraisal?
If you cannot complete an appraisal by 31st March each year it will be documented as a gap year in your appraisal history. You must inform your medical advisor immediately.
I have recently completed my GPSt3 appraisal, when must I complete my next appraisal?
You are required to complete your next appraisal within 12 calendar months of the completion of your GPSt3 appraisal. Therefore for the majority of trainees who have completed their appraisal in August 2011, this will mean completing your appraisal before the 31st August 2012. You will be able to book your appraisal from 9th January 2012.
If you have extenuating circumstances e.g. illness you can request exemption from the appraisal scheme for the current appraisal year. Contact Dr Richard Manning regarding your circumstances. Email - richard.manning@hscni.net or phone 02871 860086. If these circumstances are accepted NIMDTA will be informed. When your extenuating circumstances period has ended you should register for your appraisal as normal.
What do I do if I am retiring?
If you are fully retiring from General Practice and will not be completing any further nGMS sessions you must inform the BSO on 02890 535516 and ask to be removed from the performer’s list. Please also inform NIMDTA by emailing gpappraisal@nimdta.gov.uk. If you have any further queries please contact 02890 400032/21.
What do I do if I have already completed my appraisal elsewhere in the United Kingdom?
If another deanery within the UK has completed your appraisal please email your signed and dated completion of appraisal documents to gpappraisal@nimdta.gov.uk. This will enable us to update our records and inform the BSO to enable you to remain on the Northern Ireland performer’s list.
What is the Form CP 2A?
This form is for those Doctors who work in roles outside their General Practice work. The form is completed by their Supervisor within that role and counter-signed by the appraisee. The PDP recommended from this meeting will inform the GP appraisal PDP. For each additional role a new form should be used. CP 2A should be included within the POE submitted for GP appraisal. This form can be found at http://www.nimdta.gov.uk/general-practice/gp-appraisal/arranging-your-appraisal/. If there are no governance arrangements within an individual role, a Form 2B, self declaration of additional roles can be completed.
What is the Form CP 2B?
This is a self declaration form, for those GPs who work in an organisation with no clinical governance arrangements. This form should be completed prior to the appraisal discussion and included within the POE. Multiple roles can be detailed on one form.
Form CP 2B can be found at http://www.nimdta.gov.uk/general-practice/gp-appraisal/arranging-your-appraisal/.
Can I change my allocated quarter?
Quarters are allocated following late submission of the Appraisal Registration and Declaration form. If you are unable to complete your Appraisal within your allocated quarter, due to extenuating circumstances, we would ask that you contact your appraiser to discuss. They may or may not be able to accommodate you. Your appraiser will inform NIMDTA of any changes to your appraisal date.
What is the Service Needs Questionnaire?
The service needs questionnaire is an opportunity for all appraisees to detail any constraints on their working practice. NIMDTA will collate all of these responses and forward them on to the Health and Social Care Board. This survey can be found at http://www.nimdta.gov.uk/general-practice/gp-appraisal/arranging-your-appraisal/.
Can I use the RCGP Eportfolio for my appraisal?
The RCGP eportfolio may be used by an appraisee to collect their supporting information for their appraisal. Unfortunately the appraiser will not be able to access this information unless the appraisee authorises them to view it via the appraisees’ own login details. For appraisee’s to make full use of the eportfolio NIMDTA would have to sign up as a deanery. As a substantial group of doctors are not RCGP members this means in the long term they may be charged for the service. NIMDTA have therefore decided at present not to sign up to this. NIMDTA feel that an on-line system is the only way that appraisal will be managed properly in the era of revalidation and are currently waiting on the Department of Health to make a decision on this.
PLEASE NOTE - Any appraisee’s using the eportfolio as a repository for their supporting information must still complete the hard copy appraisal forms available on the NIMDTA website.