In his New Year message BMA chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum said details on the implications of revalidation are still uncertain, and recommended that the process be fair and still allow doctors to get on with their main work of looking after patients.

He also called for revalidation to be properly resourced in terms of the money needed to undertake revalidation, as well as the provision of the necessary remedial training.

'Another uncertainty that we will face during 2010 is the process of revalidation... but we are determined that whatever happens it must be fair, proportionate, and it must allow doctors to get on with their main work of looking after patients,' he said.

Dr Meldrum also pledged that the BMA will be fighting unnecessary cuts to frontline services and fighting to protect jobs and pensions.

He said: 'We want to see the government get rid of the waste in the system, which comes through the bureaucracy of the market, the amount of money they spend on private management consultants, and expensive initiatives such as the private finance initiative.

'We believe that by getting rid of these areas of waste we can protect money for frontline services and protect money for doctors and patients.'

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