The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7214 p342
7 September 2002

Society summary

DoH advertises lay member vacancy on Society Council

The Department of Health has for the first time advertised to find a new lay member for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Council. A new member is needed to succeed Dr John Evans, who retires from the Council at the end of October.

Dr Evans has served for nearly 15 years as one of the three Council members appointed by the Privy Council on the advice of the Health Ministers. Previously, the Ministers have given their advice after a private search by the Department for potential candidates. Now, in line with the Government's new procedures for public appointments, the current vacancy has been advertised in newspapers.

The newspaper advertisement seeks candidates who are interested in "helping to broaden the perspectives of a major national body for a key health care profession, to support the organisation through strategic change and thereby help to ensure high quality patient care and to promote the public interest".

It says that the Council's lay members are key to the Society's process of modernising and achieving greater public and patient representation and meaningful accountability to the public and health service. Lay members "help broaden the Council's perspectives, by bringing insights from outside the profession, focusing attention on matters that concern members of the public, and enhancing the accountability of the organisation as a whole".

The advertisement says: "Applicants should be able to contribute, in a non-executive capacity to strong leadership, encourage open and proactive accountability to the public and to the profession and support constructive collaboration with a range of stakeholders. Effective participation in meetings, grasping detailed wide-ranging business and contributing to objective decision-making, through sound judgement, is essential. Candidates should also be able to communicate clearly, think strategically and demonstrate commitment to public service values."

The appointment will be for a minimum of three years, the advertisement says. The successful candidate will be expected to commit at least 30 days a year to the role and will receive a daily fee of £160 plus expenses. The closing date for applications is 10 September.

A number of potential candidates have contacted the Society for further information about the post.