Suitable Person Service
A GMC-approved revalidation pathway for doctors without a prescribed connection to a Designated Body.
What Is a Suitable Person?
A Suitable Person is a licensed doctor who has been approved by the GMC to make revalidation recommendations about another doctor's fitness to practise. The role exists as an alternative pathway to revalidation for doctors who do not have a prescribed connection to a Designated Body and therefore have no Responsible Officer.
The Suitable Person performs substantially the same revalidation functions as a Responsible Officer — including overseeing appraisal, reviewing supporting information, managing concerns, and making revalidation recommendations to the GMC. However, unlike an RO, a Suitable Person is approved directly by the GMC rather than being appointed by a Designated Body.
The Suitable Person provisions sit alongside the Responsible Officer framework as a GMC-administered alternative for doctors who fall outside the prescribed connection system.
Key Distinction
A Suitable Person cannot act for a doctor who already has a prescribed connection to a Designated Body. The Suitable Person pathway is an alternative to the RO pathway, not a supplement. If a doctor has a prescribed connection, their Responsible Officer makes the revalidation recommendation.
Who Needs a Suitable Person?
The Suitable Person pathway is for licensed doctors who do not have a prescribed connection to any Designated Body under the RO Regulations.
You may need a Suitable Person if you:
- Are not on the NHS England Medical Performers List
- Are not employed by or contracted with any Designated Body
- Work independently in private practice
- Do not otherwise have a prescribed connection under Regulation 10 of the RO Regulations
This is particularly common among practitioners in cosmetic and aesthetic medicine, where doctors often work independently in private practice outside the NHS and may not be employed by or contracted with any organisation that holds Designated Body status.
You do not need a Suitable Person if you:
- Are on the NHS England Medical Performers List (your connection is to NHS England)
- Are employed by an NHS trust or other NHS body
- Are employed by or contracted with a CQC-registered organisation that holds Designated Body status
- Already have a prescribed connection to any Designated Body under the hierarchy set out in the Regulations
If you are unsure whether you have a prescribed connection, we can help you determine your regulatory position before proceeding.
MYRO's Suitable Person Service
Dr Philip Dobson is a GMC Approved Suitable Person, specifically approved to support cosmetic and aesthetic doctors who do not otherwise have a prescribed connection to a Designated Body.
Eligibility Assessment
We assess your regulatory position to confirm whether the Suitable Person pathway is appropriate for you and that you do not have an existing prescribed connection.
Formal Agreements
We provide the necessary contracts and service level agreements to clearly establish all aspects of the Suitable Person relationship.
Appraisal Coordination
We coordinate annual appraisals covering your whole scope of practice, aligned with Good Medical Practice and GMC requirements.
Revalidation Recommendations
Your Suitable Person makes revalidation recommendations to the GMC about your fitness to practise, following the GMC's published protocol.
Ongoing Monitoring
Your Suitable Person maintains oversight of your practice, reviews supporting information, and provides advice and feedback throughout the revalidation cycle.
Dedicated Support
A responsive, professional team supporting you through every stage of the appraisal and revalidation process.
How It Works
Initial Enquiry
Contact us with details of your practice, scope of work and professional activities so we can understand your situation.
Eligibility Check
We assess whether the Suitable Person pathway is appropriate for you and confirm you do not have an existing prescribed connection.
Agreement & Setup
We put in place the necessary contracts and service level agreements, and set up your account on our e-portfolio system.
Ongoing Revalidation
Your Suitable Person oversees your appraisal, monitors your practice, and makes revalidation recommendations to the GMC on your behalf.