Operating Project Plan Report

Transcription

1 Council meeting 14 April 2010 Business paper Operating Project Plan Report Purpose To provide an update on progress with the operational transition project plan Recommendations The Council is asked to note: i. the contents of this report. 1.0 Introduction 1.1 A project plan exists to manage and co-ordinate progress on the programme of work to establish the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). This report provides an update on the progress of this programme. 1.2 The plan is being monitored and a comprehensive re-plan will take place once a date for the transfer of regulation from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) to the GPhC is agreed. 2.0 Transition Project Workstreams 2.1 Rules Comments from Council Members and colleagues collated and passed to Department of Health and Department of Health Solicitors. Ongoing discussions with Department of Health and Department of Health Solicitors on potential changes to Rules. Ongoing discussions with Department of Health and Department of Health Solicitors on potential changes to the Rules. Ongoing review of draft Rules. Prepare analysis of consultation responses and quality-assured final drafts for Council to consider. Liaise with the Department of Health in relation to parliamentary and Privy Page 1 of 5

2 2.2 Standards Council processes. Communications presentations on draft Rules to stakeholder groups; responding to questions, media requests etc. Draft standards sent to Council Members for comment prior to Council meeting. Draft standards and consultation questions to be approved by Council at April 2010 meeting. Prepare analysis of consultation responses and quality-assured final drafts for Council to consider. Consultation to be launched following Council approval. Communications launch-related programme to be planned, with standards a major theme. 2.3 Governance Governance policy agreed. Work continuing on components of Governance and Assurance framework. 2.4 Organisation Progress on key activities A Working Group of Council Members is considering the GPhC s Vision and Strategy. This topic will be considered by Council at its May 2010 meeting. Work is continuing on the business plan. Progress needs to be made regarding negotiation of Service Level Agreements with the RPSGB. 2.5 Regulation Work continuing and transition plan being revised to incorporate further identified tasks including work on the rolling register. Policies scheduled for Council meetings from April 2010 onwards. Policies previously submitted to Council prior to legal establishment to be approved at April 2010 meeting. Application forms for individuals and premises to be drafted. Work to continue on the rolling register fees consultation to begin. Review of training requirements to be undertaken. Major communication work required around fees and registration renewal timing. Page 2 of 5

3 2.6 Information Management and Technology (IM&T) 2.7 HR Specification for re-numbering agreed and now being actioned by the developers. Specification for the redeveloped website register search agreed and in progress. Final agreement reached on the extent of the changes needed to the registration system. These are now being prioritised by the user departments prior to creating a final specification for the development team. All other IT projects remain on track. Some work packages are currently on hold until the date of transition is nearer. Once a date for the transition is agreed, some projects can be restarted and moved to completion. All staff briefing held on 15 March 2010 to update staff on progress with the establishment of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and to share early thoughts on its organisational structure. Further staff briefings to be held when required. Statement of Measures proposed in relation to Society employees who will become employees of the GPhC as part of the transfer shared with employee representatives and published on the Society s intranet. Frequently Asked Questions document on the TUPE transfer published on the Society s intranet and to be updated on an ongoing basis. Names and personal data on transferring staff provided to the GPhC. Further updates will be provided going forward. New HR system identified and data migration due to begin. Work continuing on an audit of contracting and transfer arrangements for panellists and other non-employees involved in Regulation. Internal and external adverts published for two Director posts; Director of Policy and Communications and Director of Regulatory Services. The external recruitment search is being carried out by Gatenby Sanderson. Interviews are scheduled for mid-may Informal familiarisation work going on. Monthly meetings with employee representatives. Data migration onto the new HR system. Director of Resources and Corporate Development to be appointed to the GPhC with effect from 1 April 2010 (TUPE transfer). Small group of employees to TUPE transfer to the GPhC with effect from 1 April Seminar programme Working with and within the GPhC. 2.8 Finance Council to approve budgets up to March 2012 at April 2010 Council Meeting. Page 3 of 5

4 General Ledger template set-up. Delegated Authority levels set. New payroll established. Current Account opened. Internal Finance forms agreed. Decision taken to go out to tender for 2010 external audit. Further bank accounts to be established. New PAYE number to be obtained from Her Majesty s Revenue and Customs. Signing levels for members of staff to be agreed. Travel and Expenses policy to be established. New template for invoices to be agreed. New coding structure to be set for the General Ledger. Tender process for external auditors. Standing Financial Instructions. 2.9 Facilities Work continuing including discussions regarding accommodation. 3.0 Equality and diversity implications 3.1 Equality and diversity implications are considered within the individual workstreams of the programme of activities to establish the GPhC. 3.2 An Equality and Diversity scheme is included in the list of policies scheduled for agreement by GPhC Council. This is currently listed for consideration in June Communications implications 4.1 Communication activities run throughout all workstreams of the project and a communications plan is being developed to timetable and co-ordinate all regulatory communications requirements. Stakeholder engagement and public and patient involvement strategies will be developed for further discussion. 5.0 Resource implications 5.1 A number of resource gaps have been identified and steps taken to rectify these. 5.2 The Rules programme in particular is dependent on resources within RPSGB, GPhC and the Department of Health, being available to review and provide further input into the drafting process. 6.0 Risk implications 6.1 The timetable for the transfer of regulatory responsibilities from the RPSGB to the GPhC is still subject to parliamentary process and timetable. 6.2 If substantially different to proposals, the results of the Rules and Standards consultations could have a potential impact on the timetable for transfer of regulatory responsibility from the RPSGB to the GPhC. Page 4 of 5

5 Recommendations The Council designate is asked to note: i. the contents of this report. Bernard Kelly, Director of Resources and Corporate Development (from 1 April 2010) General Pharmaceutical Council bernard.kelly@pharmacyregulation.org, tel March 2010 Page 5 of 5