Pharmacy representation on PECs must not be lost
It is essential that clinical pharmacy leaders are part of reconfigured primary care trust professional executive committees (PECs), say PEC pharmacists following an announcement that the committees are here to stay but their form and responsibilities may change.
Duncan Selbie, commissioning director at the Department of Health, wrote
to strategic health authority chief executives last week to set out the
department’s plans for the future of PECs, whose roles, membership
and functions are to be reviewed. In the letter, he argues that the current
role of PECs is too vague. “As a result some PECs have developed
to suit the needs of their local PCT, but others have withered,” he
wrote.
Other reasons cited for the review include current legislation making
it difficult for PCTs to evolve and the introduction of practice-based
commissioning having implications for clinical leadership, governance
and accountability. “SHA and PCT reconfigurations are further drivers
for a review of the role of the PEC against these crucial changes,” he
added.
The DoH plans to carry out a rapid review aimed at producing a document
for consultation in mid-October. Following consultation, revised guidance
will be issued early next year and new arrangements will probably come
into effect from April 2007. Guidance on interim arrangements for PECs
is provided in the letter.
Brian Jolley, a pharmacist and PEC chairman at Waveney PCT, Suffolk,
said that it is essential that pharmacy engages and participates in both
the interim and future PECs, to promote the profession and to ensure
that it is included in the strategic thinking of reconfigured PCTs. “If
national initiatives are to be carried down to a local level it is vital
the there is pharmacy representation on the new PECs. It is also essential
that PEC pharmacists link in with local pharmaceutical committees and
pharmacists at a local level to make sure that these initiatives are
realistic and appropriate,” he added.
John Carr, a pharmacist and PEC chairman at East Staffordshire PCT, commented: “Mr
Selbie believes that the rise of practice-based commissioning will supplant
PECs as the largest aspect of clinical leadership — I think he
may need to validate this outside a small group of enthusiasts.”
He added that Mr Selbie should also be sure that practice-based commissioning
takes place in a multidisciplinary environment where nurses, pharmacists,
dentists, optometrists and allied health professionals can embrace the
responsibilities of commissioning cost-effective health interventions,
before burying the current PEC model.
He does, however, believe that a review of PECs is appropriate. “There
are many models of success — the important feature is effective
clinical leaders who have emerged from a variety of professions. I look
for opportunities for pharmacists and other professions to be included
where they are proven leaders, not just because they represent a profession,” he
said. |
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