18 | VERSION 3.0, JANUARY 2010
assessor will look for supporting information that, if any areas for improvement were identified in the first, there is supporting information of some improvement in the second, or reflection as to why this is not the case. Provided the appraiser, Responsible Officer and assessor is satisfied that there is a positive answer to those three issues the actual outcome from the patient survey will only be of importance if the result is significantly poor compared with an appropriate peer group, or if there is other supporting information that raises the possibility of concerns. The College will issue more specific advice on this matter as the evidence base develops. If in significant doubt about the results from, or the GP’s response to, a patient survey or patient surveys, the portfolio should be referred to the RCGP’s National Adjudication Panel, where consistent national standards can be applied.