February
White Paper: 'Trust, Assurance and Safety'
Government proposes landmark changes to the regulation of health professionals and patient safety.
Proposals include regulators being independent of government and led by independently appointed professionals and members of the public, and the creation of the GPhC to regulate pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and registering premises.
May
Working party report on regulation and leadership
Lord Carter of Coles sets out the broad functions of the GPhC on standards, education and training, registration and fitness to practice.
Sets timeline for establishing the GPhC, recommends oversight group and sets out potential functions of a Royal College of Pharmacy in education and training, revalidation, advanced practice, etc.
August
First meeting of PRLOG
Pharmacy Regulation and Leadership Oversight Group (PRLOG) begins to establish the GPhC, advising Ministers on areas such as maintenance of current regulation and leadership of the profession.
PRLOG is chaired by Ken Jarrold CBE, Non-Executive Director of the Serious Organised Crime Agency and Chair of the County Durham Economic Partnership.
June
Department of Health responds to Dickson report
Department of Health welcomes the recommendations of the Enhancing Confidence in Healthcare Professional Regulation Working Group, chaired by King's Fund Chief Executive Niall Dickson.
Recommendations cover role and constitution of the Council, appointment and terms of members, and accountability and reporting of key performance indicators.
July
Royal Assent of the Health and Social Care Act 2008
Extends powers under section 60 of the Health Act 1999 to establish the GPhC with the role and remit set out in 'Trust, Assurance and Safety'.
Powers also permit removal of regulatory powers from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
December
Consultation on draft Pharmacy Order 2009
Series of consultation events in England, Scotland and Wales involves all stakeholders in pharmacy and includes a specific event for patients and the public.
(Consultation closes 9 March 2009.)
March
Advertisement of GPhC Chair and Council roles
Appointments Commission advertises for the Chair and 13 Council members. Council to comprise seven lay and seven registrant members.
Members sought from England, Scotland and Wales to bring balance of qualities, skills, experience and credibility, reflecting diversity of the community and professions.
May
Standards development programme begins
Work begins on developing standards for proficiency, education and training, continuing professional development, conduct, ethics and performance, and owners, superintendents and premises.
First in a series of workshops held with professionals, patients and the public.
June
Appointment of Chair designate Bob Nicholls CBE
Though appointed and in post, Chair and Council appointments are initially as advisers to Ministers until they are formalised by the Constitution Order that establishes the GPhC as a separate, independent legal entity following parliamentary process (see below) – hence 'designate'.
Chair designate to take up appointment and begin induction training during the summer.
July
Statutory register of pharmacy technicians opens
Health Care and Associated Professions (Miscellaneous Amendments and Practitioner Psychologists) Order 2009 opens the statutory register for pharmacy technicians.
Starts two-year 'grandparenting' provisions by which pharmacy technicians without the approved NVQ3 can apply to register. Grandparenting period to continue following transfer of the register to the GPhC in 2010.
September
Appointment of Council designate
Though selected, Chair and Council appointments cannot be formalised until Constitution Order establishes GPhC as a legal entity following parliamentary process (see below) – hence 'designate'. Members of Council designate take up appointment on 1 October 2009 and begin induction training during the autumn.
Winter*
Order laid in Westminster and Scottish Parliaments
Draft Pharmacy Order 2009 laid before Westminster Parliament for 28 days and Scottish Parliament for 40 days.
As parliamentary approval for an Order made under section 60 of the Health Act 1999 is an affirmative process, debates needed in both parliaments before Order can be approved.
*Parliamentary timetable permitting.
Winter*
Consultation on GPhC standards and rules
CHRE hosted 12 week consultation on draft standards on their website from 21 October 2009 to 12 January 2010. CHRE-hosted consultation on the rules to be confirmed. Consultation process to be completed by the GPhC once it becomes a legal entity (see below).
*Parliamentary timetable permitting.
Winter*
Pharmacy Order to Privy Council for approval
After completion of parliamentary process, draft Pharmacy Order 2010 - with any amendments - submitted with the Constitution Order to the Privy Council for final approval.
*Parliamentary timetable permitting.
*Parliamentary timetable permitting.
2010
GPhC – legal status
Once Pharmacy Order and Constitution Order entered on statute books, GPhC becomes legal entity. This is the first step in the process of working toward operation.
2010
Shadow GPhC - standards and rules consultation
Once the GPhC becomes a legal entity, Council takes over completion of consultation process on standards and rules. Consultation takes place before rules are submitted to Privy Council for approval.
*Parliamentary timetable permitting.
Consultation event takes place before rules are submitted to Privy Council for approval.
*Parliamentary timetable permitting.
2010
Rules to Privy Council
After formal consultation on standards and rules for GPhC, Department of Health submits full set to Privy Council for approval.
*Parliamentary timetable permitting.
2010
GPhC opens
GPhC is established and the transfer of regulation from the RPSGB takes place.
*Parliamentary timetable permitting.
2011
No events for 2011
There are currently no events for 2011
2012
No events for 2012
There are currently no events for 2012