Medical Appraisal Revalidation System (MARS)
The system supports doctors and designated bodies through the medical appraisal and revalidation process. MARS is an end to end revalidation system which guides users through annual appraisal and completion of their supporting information as described by the GMC.
MARS is continually improving to ensure it remains fit-for-purpose to support all doctors undertaking annual appraisal. MARS is used by over 7500 doctors in Wales and we deliver a high-quality service desk provision to support all our online sites.
The MARS landing page will direct you to the appropriate log in page, there are currently two instances, one for GPs and one for all other doctors. The MARS Help and Support pages include clear user guides and instruction videos for navigating the site.
Revalidation Progress Page
The revalidation progress page is a key view within MARS which enables doctors to see where they are at in their progress towards revalidation. The page includes information such as revalidation date, areas of supporting information completed and any remaining areas which are needed.
It is important that doctors understand their progress towards revalidation and ensure their supporting information is collected throughout the cycle to avoid any unnecessary worry or concern. If this page is reviewed by the doctor each year at appraisal and their PDP contains revalidation supporting information to work towards, all elements will be completed well ahead of their revalidation date.
Allocated Quarters (AQ)
An Allocated Quarter (AQ) is the time of the year when you would normally be expected to complete your appraisal. MARS will automatically assign you to an AQ based on the information you provide during registration.
AQs are January-March, April-June, July-September, and October-December. Your AQ should fall around nine-12 months after your CCT date. This gives you adequate time to gather information for your appraisal; while ensuring you can complete sufficient annual appraisals prior to your next revalidation date. A minimum gap of nine months between appraisals is recommended to maximise the benefits of the process.
Your Designated Body, in liaison with the Revalidation Support Unit (RSU), manages the AQ process. The AQ system was introduced to support efficient local delivery of appraisals and to optimise appraiser capacity.
Your AQ will usually remain the same each year. If you complete your appraisal late, you should contact the appraisal and revalidation office in your Designated Body to confirm when your next appraisal should be.
You may need to postpone your appraisal due to extenuating circumstances, such as parental leave, a sabbatical, ill health, or compassionate leave etc. If this applies to you, review our what if I can’t have my appraisal section
Orbit360 (Patient and Colleague Feedback System)
All doctors working in NHS Wales have access to Orbit360 - our patient and colleague feedback system. For most doctors this will provide the route obtaining the minimum requirement of one colleague and one patient formal feedback exercise once per revalidation cycle. You should also, at each appraisal, reflect on any other sources of patient feedback you can access, that give you helpful information about your practice (such as unsolicited feedback). For the latest guidance on patient and colleague feedback during appraisal and for revalidation, you should refer to the GMC Supporting Information Guidance.
You can complete your patient and colleague feedback at any point in your revalidation cycle; however, it is advisable to undertake this earlier in the cycle as gathering sufficient feedback can take time.
How does the Orbit360 system work?
Orbit360 is a dedicated end-to-end patient and colleague feedback system that sits alongside with the Medical Appraisal Revalidation System (MARS). It has been developed by the Revalidation Support Unit (RSU) in conjunction with the Digital Team within Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW).
Orbit360 has been designed on an adaptable platform to enable us to react to any revalidation requirement changes introduced by the GMC. Orbit360 compiles patient and colleague feedback into a report that you can reflect upon during your appraisal.
The Orbit360 Frequently Asked Questions provides clear user guides and instructional videos for navigating the site.