NHS doctors in England face audit and annual appraisals

NHS doctors working in England will have to take part in an external clinical audit and face annual appraisals in a package of measures introduced to tackle the problem of poor performance.

The proposals, which have been drawn up by the chief medical officer for England, Professor Liam Donaldson, overhaul some aspects of the NHS that have not changed since 1948.

They are aimed at ensuring that doctors' practice is monitored to pick up problems early, that poor performance is tackled swiftly, and that tough action is taken in response to poor performance.

Audit and appraisals will apply to hospital doctors and GPs. Several …