Established practice
Practising privileges reviews are getting tougher. Is your paperwork ready?
Private hospitals are tightening how they oversee consultants, and the sector's assurance framework is being refreshed in 2026. Here's how to stay ahead of the requests.
Is this you? Tap any that are true.
Most people reading this tick at least one.
It only takes one to cost you.
- steps
- 6
- steps
- to start
- 30 minutes, plus replies
- to start
The short answer
Hospitals are expected to oversee consultants more closely, and IHPN is refreshing its Medical Practitioners Assurance Framework, with the new version expected in autumn 2026 (not yet published at 30 October 2026). The requests are not going away. One shared folder, a renewal calendar and whole-practice appraisal turn it into an hour a quarter rather than a scramble.
What good looks like
Where you stand, before and after
One folder with everything current
- Renewal dates in the diary
- Every hospital holds the same up-to-date set
Illustrative sample, not a real person or result.
6 steps
Do it yourself: step by step
0 of 6 done
Email the medical director's office or medical staffing at each site and ask for their full list of documents and data for privileges review, and the review date.
- Time
- 30 minutes, plus replies
- Typical cost
- Free
- Who does it
- You or secretary
Done when: You have each hospital's list in writing
This problem is Solvable.
Copy this table
Privileges document tracker
Free to copy, adapt and use. No sign-up.
Document tracker
| Document | Current version date | Expires | Reminder date | Sent to [Hospital 1] | Sent to [Hospital 2] | Sent to [Hospital 3] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMC registration and licence | ||||||
| Specialist register entry | ||||||
| Indemnity certificate | ||||||
| Appraisal summary and sign-off | ||||||
| Revalidation date and RO details | ||||||
| Enhanced DBS and update service | ||||||
| Occupational health clearance | ||||||
| Life support training | ||||||
| Safeguarding training | ||||||
| Information governance training | ||||||
| Scope of practice (signed) | ||||||
| Activity and outcome data | ||||||
| Complaints and incidents summary | ||||||
| ICO registration |
Email template for renewals
Subject: Updated [document] for [Name], consultant [specialty]
Dear [Medical staffing contact],
Please find attached my updated [document], valid until [date], for my practising privileges file.
Please let me know if you need anything else before my next review on [date].
Kind regards, [Name] GMC [number]
Request to hospital before appraisal
Dear [Contact],
Ahead of my appraisal on [date], could you send me a summary of my activity, outcomes, complaints and incidents at [Hospital] for [period]?
Thank you, [Name]
Avoid these
Common mistakes
- Sending documents to one hospital and forgetting the others.
- Appraising only NHS work, which leaves private activity invisible to your Responsible Officer.
- A scope of practice that has not been updated since you first applied.
- Letting indemnity or DBS lapse because the reminder went to an old email address.
- Keeping documents in email attachments rather than one folder.
Free personal check
Done by Paul Robinson, not software
I'll check your paperwork routine and show you how to make renewals an hour a quarter
What I need from you
- How many hospitals you hold privileges at
- Answers to eight tap questions
What you get
- The gaps most likely to trigger a hospital chase
- A simple renewal calendar to copy
- Which tasks your secretary could own
Within 2 working days
No sign-in, no sales call. I read every request myself and reply on WhatsApp.
Free tools
Check where you stand
Benchmarks
Autumn 2026
Expected publication of IHPN's refreshed Medical Practitioners Assurance Framework, led by Professor Sir Stephen Powis. Not yet published when checked on 30 October 2026
Source: IHPN
4 to 8 hours a year
Time to keep a well-organised privileges file across two or three hospitals (Solvable estimate: about an hour a quarter plus appraisal preparation)
Solvable estimate
Paul Robinson
14 years in UK private healthcare
I solve this one for consultants
Want a hand? I'll look at your situation and tell you the three things I'd tackle first.
A few quick questions, about two minutes. I read every one myself and usually reply the same day.
No sales call unless you ask for one. Just a straight answer from me.
I reply personally, usually the same day.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Why are hospitals asking for more?
Hospitals are responsible for overseeing the consultants they grant privileges to, and the sector framework (IHPN's Medical Practitioners Assurance Framework, or MPAF) sets expectations they follow. A refreshed version is expected in autumn 2026.
What will the new MPAF ask for?
Not yet published when this page was checked on 30 October 2026. IHPN says the refresh will reflect developments since 2022, including the findings of national inquiries. Expect continued focus on scope of practice, whole-practice appraisal and sharing information between NHS and private employers.
Can one hospital share my documents with another?
Do not assume it will. Send each hospital its own copy.
What is whole-practice appraisal?
Your appraisal covers all your work, NHS and private, so your Responsible Officer sees everything.
Who should own this, me or my secretary?
Your secretary can run the folder and calendar. You must own scope of practice and appraisal content.
Last reviewed:
Sources
The Solvable community
You're not the only one with this problem.
One problem solved every week, on WhatsApp.
One message a week. No sales messages. Reply STOP any time.