Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee: Appointment of Chair

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made 28 June 2013:

Decision Reference: MD-S-2013-0060
Decision Summary Title :	Appointment of Chair to the Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee		Date of Decision Summary:	27 June 2013
Decision Summary Author:	Policy Principal		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	NA
Written Report Title :	Appointment of Chair to the Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee		Date of Written Report:	27 June 2013
Written Report Author:	Policy Principal		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee - appointment of Chair
Decision(s): The Minister decided to appoint Alison Creed to serve as Chair to the Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee is the advisory body, created under the Health Insurance (Jersey) Law 1967, to provide advice to the Minister for Social Security on the items which should be placed on the Approved List and funded by Pharmaceutical benefit. While the Minister is responsible for the inclusion or deletion of items from the Approved List, the Minister is required to consult with the PBAC. The PBAC comprises medical professionals including an independent pharmaceutical advisor, the Medical Officer of Health, the Chief Pharmacist at the General Hospital, three GPs and two community pharmacists. The membership also includes a Social Security Officer and the committee is Chaired by a lay person appointed by the Minister for Social Security. The Health Insurance Law (1967) requires the Minister to appoint a chair to the Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee (PBAC). This position has become vacant following the resignation of the previous chair.
Resource Implications: There are no resource implications resulting from this decision
Action required: Policy and Strategy Director to notify the Greffier of the States that this appointment has been made.
Signature:		Position: Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee: Appointment of Chair

Social Security Department Ministerial Decision Report
Subject:	Appointment of Chair to the Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee
Exempt: Clause:		Date:	27 June 2013

Author:	Policy Principal, Social Security

Introduction

The Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee (PBAC) is the advisory body, created under the Health Insurance (Jersey) Law 1967, to provide advice to the Minister for Social Security on the items which should be maintained on the Approved List and funded by Pharmaceutical benefit. The Committee meets four times a year and consists of:

A chairman
An independent pharmaceutical advisor
A Social Security Officer
The Medical Officer of Health
The Chief Pharmacist at the General Hospital
Three GPs and two community pharmacists

The Chairman is appointed by the Minister for Social Security, to represent the views of the general public. This position (as are others on the advisory committee) is voluntary.

The previous Chair, Tim Rogers has resigned and a new appointment is required.

Recruitment Process

Recruitment has been conducted under the supervision of the Jersey Appointments Commission.

The role of Chair for the PBAC was advertised in the Local Press and on the States Web site. Only one person expressed interest in the role but regretfully was ineligible under restrictions given by the Health Insurance Law. Following this failed recruitment attempt a local recruitment agency supplied two candidates.

Both candidates were interviewed on 18 June 2013. The panel comprised Julian Rogers (Jersey Appointments Commission), Jonathan Williams (SSD Director CECB) and Samantha Woods (SSD Policy Principal). The panel found both candidates to be suitable and of a very high calibre. The panel were unanimous in selecting Alison Creed as their preferred candidate.

The Jersey Appointments Commission has confirmed that they are content the recruitment process has been conducted appropriately, meeting the standards required in openness, equity and impartiality.

Reason for Decision

Following the resignation of the previous Chair, and in keeping with the directions of the Health Insurance (Jersey) Law 1967 the Minister for Social Security is required to appoint a Chair

Resource Implications

There are no manpower implications in respect of this decision.

Action Required

Policy and Strategy Director to notify the Greffier of the States that a Chair has been appointed.