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Appraisers
Supporting the Appraisee
Appraisal offers a valuable opportunity for doctors to reflect on their practice, wellbeing and any
challenges they may be facing. While appraisers are not expected to resolve difficulties, recognising
when a colleague may need support and signposting appropriate resources can be an important part of the process.
challenges they may be facing. While appraisers are not expected to resolve difficulties, recognising
when a colleague may need support and signposting appropriate resources can be an important part of the process.
Sometimes concerns emerge during reflective discussion or through appraisal documentation. A doctor may not always state directly that they
are finding things difficult.
are finding things difficult.
Possible indicators may include:
- Persistent stress, burnout or fatigue
- Reduced engagement with work or professional development
- Concerns about clinical confidence or workload
- Personal or life pressures affecting work
- Signs of anxiety, low mood or emotional distress
- Physical health concerns impacting practice
During appraisal, you may wish to:
- Provide a safe and supportive space for discussion
- Ask open questions and listen carefully
- Acknowledge pressures within medical practice
- Encourage reflection on workload and wellbeing
- Signpost to appropriate support where helpful
Where concerns relate to patient safety or professional performance, follow relevant organisational guidance.
Practitioner Health provides confidential NHS support for doctors and dentists experiencing mental health concerns, stress, burnout or addiction.
Doctors can self-refer and receive specialist support from clinicians who understand the pressures of medical practice.
Doctors can self-refer and receive specialist support from clinicians who understand the pressures of medical practice.
Additional support services include:
- Doctors in Distress - peer support for healthcare professionals Doctors in Distress
- Samaritans - confidential emotional support available 24/7 Samaritans
- NHS mental health services - information and access to local support NHS Mental Health
Encouraging early support can help prevent difficulties from escalating.
Doctors should also be encouraged to prioritise their own physical health. Useful support options include:
- Their own GP
- Occupational health services (where available)
- NHS health and wellbeing resources NHS Live Well
If an appraisee raises significant concerns, possible support pathways may include:
- Practitioner Health
- Occupational health services
- Local appraisal leads or Responsible Officers
- Professional support services
- Their GP or other healthcare providers
Documenting agreed actions in the appraisal summary can help ensure appropriate follow-up.
Supporting Our Appraisers
Appraisers play a vital role in supporting doctors through the appraisal process. We recognise that the role carries responsibility and that circumstances may sometimes change.
This page outlines how the appraisal service can support appraisers, including what to do if you need assistance, time away, or need to return an appraisal.
This page outlines how the appraisal service can support appraisers, including what to do if you need assistance, time away, or need to return an appraisal.
If you encounter challenges while completing an appraisal, the appraisal team is available to help.
Support may include:
Support may include:
- Advice on appraisal processes or documentation
- Guidance where concerns arise during appraisal discussions
- Help resolving technical or administrative issues
- Escalating queries where additional input is needed
Occasionally, circumstances may mean that you are unable to complete an appraisal you have been allocated.
This may include:
This may include:
- Changes to your availability
- Conflicts of interest
- Illness or personal circumstances
- Unexpected workload pressures
We understand that appraisers may occasionally need to step back from the role temporarily.
If you are planning a period of leave or a sabbatical, please notify the appraisal team in advance where possible. This helps ensure appraisal allocations can be managed effectively.
Depending on the length of time away, this may involve:
If you are planning a period of leave or a sabbatical, please notify the appraisal team in advance where possible. This helps ensure appraisal allocations can be managed effectively.
Depending on the length of time away, this may involve:
- Pausing appraisal allocations
- Adjusting your availability
- Agreeing a return-to-role process
If concerns arise during an appraisal discussion - for example regarding wellbeing, professional practice, or patient safety - appraisers should
follow the appropriate escalation pathways. The appraisal team can provide guidance on next steps where needed.
follow the appropriate escalation pathways. The appraisal team can provide guidance on next steps where needed.
We aim to support appraisers through:
- Clear guidance and documentation
- Administrative and technical support
- Updates on appraisal processes and requirements
Podcasts & Learning Resources
Guidance & Policies
The standards and guidance that underpin all our medical appraisals across the UK - and internationally - are GMP 2024 (Good Medical Practice) and MAG 2022 (Medical Appraisal Guide).
Together, they define the professional standards expected of doctors and the framework through which appraisal supports reflection, development and revalidation.
Together, they define the professional standards expected of doctors and the framework through which appraisal supports reflection, development and revalidation.
GMP 2024 sets out the core principles, values and standards expected of all registered doctors, physician associates and anaesthesia associates.
It provides an ethical framework to support safe, high-quality patient care, while making clear that professionals must use their judgement to apply these standards in their day-to-day practice.
It provides an ethical framework to support safe, high-quality patient care, while making clear that professionals must use their judgement to apply these standards in their day-to-day practice.
MAG 2022 sets out a proportionate, flexible framework for medical appraisal, replacing the temporary Appraisal 2020 process introduced during COVID-19.
Shaped by feedback from doctors, it restores a more formative, developmental focus, reduces unnecessary documentation, and encourages discussion of health and wellbeing where appropriate.
Shaped by feedback from doctors, it restores a more formative, developmental focus, reduces unnecessary documentation, and encourages discussion of health and wellbeing where appropriate.
Wellbeing Support for Doctors
Supporting doctors' wellbeing is an important part of safe and sustainable practice. If an appraisee is experiencing difficulties, the following services may be helpful.
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