Practising Functional Medicine Safely and Sustainably

At the BCFM College of Functional Medicine (BCFM), we recognise that doctors practising functional medicine are striving to deliver the highest standards of patient care. Many of us have entered the field because we want to spend more time with patients, focus on prevention, identify root causes of illness, and utilise a broader range of therapeutic tools to support health and wellbeing.

Functional medicine is not separate from conventional medicine; it is a way of practising medicine. As licensed doctors, we all retain the professional responsibilities that accompany GMC registration, regardless of whether we work in the NHS, private practice, lifestyle medicine, functional medicine, or a portfolio career.

Our aim is to support colleagues in practising confidently, safely and sustainably within the existing regulatory framework, ensuring that both patients and practitioners are protected.

Appraisal and Revalidation
All licensed doctors in the UK are required by the General Medical Council (GMC) to participate in annual appraisal and revalidate every five years. Revalidation confirms that we remain up to date, fit to practise, and continue to meet the standards expected of a licensed doctor.

For many doctors, appraisal and revalidation are straightforward because they are provided through an NHS employer, private hospital, locum agency, Armed Forces role, or another GMC-designated body.

However, functional medicine doctors often follow less traditional career paths. Some of us leave NHS employment entirely, move into independent practice, develop portfolio careers, or work in settings that do not automatically provide appraisal and revalidation support. Where this applies, it is important that we ensure we maintain an appropriate GMC connection.

Understanding Our GMC Connection
Every licensed doctor must have either:

• A designated body, or

• An approved suitable person

who oversees appraisal and makes a revalidation recommendation to the GMC.

Many of us will already have a connection if we:

• Work for the NHS or UK Armed Forces.

• Are employed by the Home Office.

• Work for another GMC-designated organisation.

• Work through a locum agency that provides appraisal and revalidation.

• Hold practising privileges at a private hospital.

• Are connected through certain recognised faculties and professional bodies.

• Are members of the Independent Doctors Federation (IDF).

If any of these apply, appraisal and revalidation would normally be completed through that organisation rather than through BCFM.

If we are unsure where our connection lies, the GMC provides two useful tools:
GMC Find Your Connection

https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/managing-your-registration/revalidation/finding-your-connection
GMC My DB (Designated Body) Tool

https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/managing-your-registration/revalidation/my-db-tool
These should always be our first step.

 

How BCFM May Be Able to Help
BCFM is not intended to replace existing designated bodies or professional connections. However, some functional medicine doctors find themselves in a position where they have no clear designated body and no suitable person available to support appraisal and revalidation.

This situation is most likely to arise among colleagues who:

​

• Work independently.

• Have portfolio careers.

• Have left NHS employment.

• Do not hold practising privileges within a private hospital.

• Are not connected through another recognised faculty, professional body, or organisation providing revalidation support.

BCFM is currently identifying doctors who meet these criteria and who require a suitable person pathway.

Once a sufficient cohort has been established, BCFM intends to approach the GMC to seek approval for BCFM's Responsible Officer, Dr Andie Siggers, to be recognised as an approved suitable person for eligible doctors.

If we believe this situation applies to us, you should:

1. Complete the GMC Find Your Connection and My DB tools.

2. Confirm that no designated body or suitable person has been identified.

3. Contact BCFM to register our interest.

By doing so, we help develop a compliant and transparent revalidation pathway for doctors practising functional medicine outside conventional organisational structures.

​