We are committed to ensuring that every individual receives the highest quality of care from dedicated healthcare professionals. Our Professional Licensing Policy provides a comprehensive overview of licensing and registration of our independent contractors.

Summary

We require all healthcare professionals associated with our organisation to possess a valid license to practice from their relevant Licensing Body. This policy ensures that our healthcare providers are up-to-date, fit to practice, and in compliance with professional standards.

Licensing and Revalidation

• Licensing Requirement: Healthcare professionals, including counsellors, psychotherapists, nurses, and midwives, must hold a current license to practice if they wish to provide services to members of GenderGP. This requirement extends to those prescribing restricted medications and signing statutory certificates.
• Revalidation: Healthcare professionals listed on our websites are obligated to undergo revalidation every three years when renewing their registration. This process ensures that they remain fit to practice and compliant with professional standards.

GenderGP’s Responsibilities

GenderGP assumes the following responsibilities under this policy:

• Ensuring that all healthcare professionals associated with our organisation hold a valid license to practice and are registered.
• Facilitating annual appraisals for all healthcare professionals.
• Offering support for the revalidation process, including annual appraisals.
• Assisting healthcare professionals in meeting their professional obligations for revalidation.

Healthcare Professionals’ Duties

Healthcare professionals affiliated with GenderGP are expected to:

• Maintain their practice in alignment with guidance from their Licensing Body’s professional code of practice.
• Participate in annual appraisal and engage in regular reflection on their practice.
• Maintain a portfolio of evidence to support their revalidation.
• Actively engage in the revalidation process.

In Practice

Registration: Healthcare professionals must be registered with a license to practice through their respective Licensing Body to be listed by GenderGP and perform specific responsibilities.

The GenderGP Register: GenderGP maintains a professional register of eligible healthcare professionals. The online List of Registered Practitioners, accessible through the Licensing Body’s website, enables verification of licensure and eligibility to work as specialist practitioners.

Licensing to Practise: Healthcare professionals must also maintain a valid license to practice, subject to renewal through revalidation. This licensing encompasses activities such as assessment, diagnosis, treatment, reporting, prescribing, and making referrals.

Revalidation Requirements: Revalidation ensures that healthcare professionals remain up-to-date and adhere to professional standards. It includes participation in appraisal, the cornerstone of the revalidation process.

Appraisal: Annual appraisal is a mandatory component of revalidation. It incorporates a review of supporting information for revalidation and the development of a Personal Development Plan (PDP) to improve practice quality.

Personal Development Plans (PDP): PDPs outline a healthcare professional’s learning and development needs. They should be reviewed, revised, and agreed upon annually.

Supporting Information: Healthcare professionals are encouraged to provide six types of supporting information during appraisal, including continuing professional development, quality improvement activity, significant events, feedback from colleagues, feedback from members, and reviews of complaints and compliments.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Credits: CPD is quantified through credits, with 250 credits collected over five years. CPD should encompass a range of skills, emphasizing quality over quantity.

Quality Improvement Activities: Healthcare professionals engage in various quality improvement activities, including case reviews and clinical audits.

Significant Events and Audit: Significant events that could potentially harm members should be reported and analyzed. Clinical audits should follow a full-cycle approach.

Feedback: Healthcare professionals gather feedback from colleagues and members, which plays a crucial role in enhancing practice.

Complaints and Compliments: Any formal complaints or compliments received during the revalidation period must be disclosed and discussed at appraisal.

Non-Clinical Healthcare Professionals: Non-clinical healthcare professionals must demonstrate fitness for their roles and fulfill revalidation requirements, especially in the clinical components of their work.

We uphold the highest standards of care, and this policy is a testament to our commitment to quality, transparency, and accountability. We value our healthcare professionals’ dedication and your trust in us as we continue to provide comprehensive and compassionate support and recommendations.