Doctors returning to practice

Doctors may find that they need to return to work after a period of no active practice. The Royal College of Pathologists endorses the Return to Practice guidance published by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. The guidance can be used in all circumstances as part of the process of return to practice and focuses on re-entry of doctors to practice.

Who is the guidance for?

The Return to Practice Guidance is for: 

  • All doctors returning to the same clinical area as previously practiced following an absence for any reason (including those returning to their usual practice after working in a different area of clinical practice). It is the duty of all doctors to ensure that they are safe to return to practice. 
  • All doctors who have been absent for three months or longer and including in all cases where the licence to practise has been surrendered and is then restored by the GMC.