Terms of Reference

Terms of Reference

Background & Purpose
The Patient Safety Commissioner for England is required in statute to appoint an advisory panel to provide the Commissioner with advice and assistance relating to the discharge of the Commissioner’s functions and encourage good practice in involvement with patients.  This group must consist of persons who (taken together) represent a broad range of interests which are relevant to the Commissioner’s functions. The Commissioner’s core duties are to:
  • promote the safety of patients with regard to the use of medicines and medical devices, and
  • promote the importance of the views of patients and other members of the public in relation to the safety of medicines and medical devices.
Advisory Group role
    1. To provide support, insight, advice and challenge to the Commissioner, acting as a critical friend and sounding board to inform the Commissioner’s strategic priorities and direction, with particular reference to ensuring the Commissioner follows a ‘patients first’ approach in discharging her duties.
    2. To review, comment and input as required to strategic and business planning documents, proposals, reports and consultations produced by the Commissioner, including the development of principles governing how the Commissioner will carry out the core duties of the role.
    3. To horizon scan the wider health and social care landscape and alert the Commissioner to areas of emerging concern that present challenges or issues in relation to medicines and medical devices safety where the Commissioner may wish to act to effect positive change for patients.
    4. To advise on the commissioning of research where required that supports the delivery of the Commissioner’s strategic priorities and share knowledge and expertise on available data and data gaps.
    5. To help raise the profile and positioning of the Commissioner’s work through members’ own networks and channels of communication, leveraging the power of their influence on behalf of the Commissioner.
    6. To share and spread good practice including within their own organisations and beyond to champion patient voice and promote the Commissioner’s work.
Governance arrangements
  • The Patient Safety Commissioner is the Chair of the Group.
  • Secretariat will be provided by the Office of the Patient Safety Commissioner (OPSC).
  • The Advisory Group is not accountable for the policies, financial or other management aspects of the OPSC.
  • Individual members carry no personal liabilities or risks.
  • Members are required to treat all Advisory Group business and communications as confidential unless it is clearly indicated otherwise.
Membership
  •  The Advisory Group will comprise a maximum of 10 influential external members from across the health and social care sector and wider civil society who collectively will bring the breadth, depth and diversity of expertise and knowledge to ensure collectively the voice of all patients is included and reflected.
  • Membership is by formal invitation of the Commissioner, who will approach and invite members based on the following considerations, to be taken across the Advisory Group membership as a whole:
 
    • A diverse membership reflecting the diversity of the population and that promotes inclusion.
    • A proven track record for role modelling excellence in championing patient voice and advocacy at strategic, operational and delivery level in policy and/or practice.
    • Exemplary senior leadership, influence & communication skills, and demonstrable achievements in the successful delivery of patient centred services that demonstrate a compassionate approach to the interests of patients and their experience.
    • An in-depth understanding of the complexities of the health and social care landscape, including the interplay between the different parts of the system, regulatory processes, national and local policy making.
 
  • Technical expertise in medicines and devices will be sought externally if required and is therefore not an essential membership criteria.
  • Membership is voluntary and not remunerated. Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed on request, and in accordance with the DHSC expense policy.
  • Members must abide by the Nolan principles – the seven principles of public life.
Frequency of meetings
  • The Advisory Group will meet quarterly, and dates will be notified a year in advance.
  • Members are expected to attend every meeting unless in exceptional and unavoidable circumstances. The Commissioner’s Annual Report to Parliament will be expected to record and publish records of attendance.
  • Where possible meetings will be in-person, at a location to be agreed, but on occasion meetings may be conducted virtually.
  • In between meetings Members are asked to be available by telephone/email to provide occasional views or advice to the Commissioner as required; and such contact will be proportionate and in keeping with members’ own expectations.
Length of service
  • Advisory Group members are asked to serve initially for a one-year term with the option of being re-appointed by mutual agreement and at the discretion of the Commissioner.