Lord Warner outlines steps to involve clinicians in decision-making

The Department of Health is trying to ensure that healthcare professionals are included in the government’s decision-making process, according to a government official.

Health minister Lord Warner claims that a new consultation on the future of professional executive committees (PECs) has been designed to collate a range of views and to include local issues when making decisions.

This consultation is needed to move away from a “one-size-fits-all” approach to in the current set-up, the minister stated.

“The need to strengthen professional executive committees is a high priority,” said Lord Warner.

He added: “The discussion we are now embarking on is the next step towards making these goals a reality.”

Dr Michael Dixon, chair of NHS Alliance, said that clinical leadership by virtue of PECs has been “vital” as they connect primary care trusts directly with patients.

The government has also launched the largest ever NHS survey on GP services, which could influence GPs’ pay.