Society included in review of health regulators
Review terms of reference
· To strengthen procedures for ensuring that the performance
or conduct of non-medical health care professionals does not pose
a threat
to patient safety
· To ensure the operation of an effective system of continuing
professional development and appraisal for non-medical health
care staff
· To ensure the effective regulation of health care staff working
in new roles
· To consider whether any changes are needed to the role, structure,
function and number of regulators of non-medical health care
professional staff |
A review of all UK health regulators, including the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, was expected to be announced by the Department of Health after The Journal went to press.
The review follows the decision to examine the role, structure and function
of the General Medical Council as a result of the findings
of the Shipman Inquiry (PJ, 5 February, p137).
The central purpose of the review is to protect patient safety, said
Andrew Foster, workforce director at the Department of Health.
Under the current system, he explained, health professionals are deemed
to be competent and fit to practise when they first qualify, but there
is no way of knowing whether this is still true 30 years later unless
something goes wrong and disciplinary proceedings are taken.
Mr Foster commented that a more positive way that affirms fitness to
practise on an occassional basis needs to be found. “What measures
do we need,” he asked. “What role does the Government have
in overseeing this and should we use a more co-ordinated approach?”
The review is expected to be completed before the end of the year and
its findings will be used to inform the drafting of an Order under Section
60 of the Health Act 1999 to reform the regulation of pharmacists by
the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
Mr Foster said that the Order is to be used as “an enabling mechanism” rather
than to set out definitive reforms.
The Society declined to comment until the review is announced. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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