The Department of Health has announced a key leadership appointment today with the news that Dr Anita Thomas has been tasked with ensuring doctors are fit for purpose as she becomes the new Medical Director for The NHS Revalidation Support Team.
Dr Thomas is a consultant in acute medicine at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust and has been closely involved with medical education and training. Her experience includes being a founding member of the Peninsula Medical School and a lead assessor for the General Medical Council on fitness to practice procedures.
Commenting on her new role, Dr Thomas said: “I am delighted to be taking up the post of Medical Director at the Revalidation Support Team. Maintaining rigorous standards is critical to offering good patient care. Patients and the public have the right to expect that their doctors are fit to practise and have up to date skills. I am looking forward to working with colleagues within the medical community to help ensure we have a revalidation system that is trusted and provides assurance to doctors.”
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “This appointment will help shape and support revalidation. Dr Thomas will help to ensure that we have a system for doctors that is effective, supports high quality care and provides confidence to the public. Dr Thomas has vast experience in medical education, training and fitness to practice performance procedures. Her clinical leadership and experience will be a real asset to the Revalidation Support Team.”
Dr Thomas has been Chair of the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board training committee and was awarded an OBE for services to medicine in 2007.
Dr Thomas will take up her appointment on 1 June but will continue to work as a hospital consultant at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust.
