Allocated Quarters
MARS will give you an Allocated Quarter (AQ) based on the information you provide during the registration process.
The Allocated Quarters are January-March, April-June, July-September and October-December. Your AQ should be around 9-12 months after your CCT date, this will allow you sufficient time to populate information for your appraisal while still ensuring you can undertake 5 annual appraisals prior to your next revalidation date. There is a recommended 9 month minimum gap between appraisals to maximise the benefits of the appraisal.
Your Designated Body manage the Allocated Quarter protocol and change process, the system of Allocated Quarters was introduced to rationalise local delivery of appraisal and to optimise the capacity of each Appraiser.
Your AQ will remain the same each year, if you have completed your appraisal late you should contact the appraisal & revalidation office in your Health Board to determine when you should complete your next appraisal.
However, you may need to postpone your appraisal due to extenuating circumstances, these include Maternity Leave, Sabbaticals, Ill Health, compassionate leave etc. If you have experienced extenuating circumstances you will need to complete the Allocated Quarter change form on MARS. This will then be reviewed by the Designated Body and your AQ changed accordingly, this ensures you have time to gather sufficient CPD in relation to any extenuating circumstances.
Clinical Governance
The Appraisal of Doctors in Wales is managed by local Health Boards.
The aim of the RSU is to manage and deliver quality assured annual appraisal to every eligible Doctor with a Prescribed Connection to a Designated Body in Wales via the online appraisal system (The Medical Appraisal Revalidation System – MARS).
Monitoring & management of Allocated Quarters – The RSU sends a series of reminders if you do not have an appraisal arranged in your AQ. A report can be provided on MARS to allow Health Boards to monitor engagement in Annual Appraisal.