Does my organisation need a Responsible Officer?

If your organisation is a designated body — that is, it employs or contracts doctors with a prescribed connection — it must appoint or nominate a Responsible Officer.

Who can act as a Responsible Officer?

A senior clinician, trained for the role and independent of the doctors being connected.

Why use an external Responsible Officer?

Building the role in house needs trained, independent clinicians and proper systems, which is costly. An external Responsible Officer gives you the same compliance without that overhead.

Responsible Officer services

An experienced, independent Responsible Officer, providing a prescribed connection for your doctors and expert oversight of your organisation's fitness to practise, appraisal, revalidation and clinical governance.

The role, defined

What a Responsible Officer is

Under the Medical Profession (Responsible Officers) Regulations 2010, every designated body must appoint a Responsible Officer. The Responsible Officer holds a prescribed connection to the organisation's doctors and is responsible for making revalidation recommendations to the GMC.

2010The Regulations that created the role

1Responsible Officer appointed per designated body

GMCConnects your organisation's doctors with the GMC

References: legislation.gov.uk ↗ gmc-uk.org ↗

How Solas helps

Your Responsible Officer

Solas Healthcare provides you with complete, high-quality, independent Responsible Officer services, so your organisation can meet its regulatory requirements without the need to provide the role in house.

Clinicians reviewing records together in a clinical setting

Acting as your external Responsible Officer

A named, trained, independent senior clinician holds the statutory role for your organisation, with a prescribed connection to your doctors.

Strengthening your fitness to practise governance

Reviewing and enhancing your existing governance framework, including HR processes, policies and complaints management.

Managing concerns when they are raised

Where concerns about a doctor arise, the Responsible Officer oversees concerns management, with clear, documented governance throughout.

Overseeing appraisal and revalidation

Every connected doctor is supported through annual appraisal, with records kept and maintained to support revalidation.

Managing recommendations and returns to the Department of Health

Makes revalidation recommendations for your doctors to the GMC, and prepares annual returns for your designated body to the Department of Health.

Who it is for

Organisations that employ or contract doctors

Independent healthcare organisations that need a Responsible Officer, without the cost of recruiting, training and resourcing the role in house.

Private clinicsIndependent hospitalsProvider groupsMedico-legal practices

Contact

Talk to us about Responsible Officer services

Tell us about your organisation, or your circumstances as a doctor, and we will respond directly.

Email info@solashealthcare.com Telephone +44 (0) 203 488 4008

Office

71–75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9JQ