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Appraisal for consultants in public health medicine

All doctors should be appraised in accordance with clinical governance. Employers must ensure that this appraisal process is completed as a contractual requirement by all consultants in public health medicine and doctors employed on local terms and conditions of service. It also includes any locum doctors who have been in post for more than two months.

The agreement applies to all consultants in public health medicine. Following agreement with the BMA, guidance for public health medicine appraisal also includes doctors in community (public health) medicine and the community health service.

Employers ensured that all their consultants in public health medicine are appraised in the year beginning March 2003. Chief executives are accountable for ensuring NHS Trusts comply with necessary action set out in the circular, through the usual NHS performance management mechanisms.

The guidance below has information for consultants and employers alike.