Clinical Advisory Forum DRAFT Terms of Reference 1. Constitution 1.1. The Trust Executive Committee (TEC) hereby resolves to establish a Forum to be known as the Clinical Advisory Forum (the Forum). The Forum is a sub-group of the TEC and has no executive powers, other than those specifically delegated in these Terms of Reference 2. Purpose 2.1 To provide the Executive Directors with a forum where new models of care including integrated clinical care pathways which underpin the Trust s Clinical Strategy can be discussed, developed and overseen 2.2 To provide a forum where collective knowledge on clinical issues can be consolidated and provided to the Trust Executive Group 2.3 To provide a mechanism for increased participation and advice from clinicians in policy setting in the Trust 2.4 To provide advice on solutions to clinical management, ethical issues, including safeguarding and Deprivation of Liberty issues within the Trust and to develop recommendations for consideration and implementation by the Executive and where appropriate to the Board 2.5 To strengthen clinicians understanding of financial management, enhancing alignment of clinical priorities with the local and wider health economy 2.6 To provide a forum for greater co-ordination and integration between service areas. 2.7 To provide a vehicle for clinicians to champion reform in health 2.8 To provide leadership for strategic decisions about the clinical configuration of the Trust 2.9 To strengthen clinical and Professional leadership among the wider body of clinicians within the Trust 2.10 Take recommendations about professional and clinical care and treatment standards, including NICE implementation and compliance 2.11 Appendix 1 provides the position of the Forum in the Trust s Corporate Governance structure and lines of accountability 3. Membership (including quorum) 3.1 The Forum will be appointed by the TEC from amongst the Executive Directors and Senior Management Team 3.2 One of the Executive Directors, who is also a Clinician, will be appointed Chair by the TEC. In the absence of the Chair, an appointed Vice Chair will preside over the meeting 3.3 A quorum will be 50% of members in addition to the Chair or Vice Chair Clinical Advisory Group Tor - 12 April 13.Doc 1 of 5
3.4 Members are expected to attend at least 75% of meetings annually. Delegation of membership to another member of staff is by exception only 3.5 Core Members The Membership is not to send deputies in their place Chief Medical Officer(Chair) Director of Nursing (Vice Chair & Lead Senior Manager for the Forum) Clinical Directors Associate Director of Workforce Development Professional Reps Nursing x 2 Medical x 2 Psychology x 1 OT x 1 Physio x 1 Chief Pharmacist The Chair or Vice Chair + >50% of members in addition to the chair 3.6 Co-opted Members xxxx 4. Attendance 4. The Chief Medical Officer will act as lead Senior Manager for the Forum 4.2 Executive Directors (save those who are members) and Non-Executive Directors may attend periodically by invitation as part of the mechanism for Board assurance 4.3 The Personal Assistant to the Chief Medical Officer shall be the secretary to the Forum and will provide administrative support and advice. Duties in this regard include, but are not limited to: Agreement of the Annual Agenda Framework, ensuring this regularly reviewed and updated and circulated to all members periodically throughout the year Finalisation of each meeting s agenda with the Chair, in conjunction with the lead senior manager Circulating a request for papers no later than 10 working days prior to the submission deadline, and collating papers Ensuring the agenda and papers are distributed no less than 5 working days in advance of the meeting Ensuring minutes of the meeting are taken, including a record of decisions taken, matters arising and that issues to be carried forward are kept in a rolling log Ensuring that draft minutes are circulated within 10 working days of the meeting to all members Advising the Forum as appropriate Supporting the Chair to conduct the annual review of the Forum s effectiveness against the Terms of Reference Clinical Advisory Group Tor - 12 April 13.Doc 2 of 5
4.4 All members are expected to attend every meeting 4.5 Meetings will normally be closed 4.6 Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust Executives and staff, and representatives from partner organisations may be invited to attend meetings to speak on specific matters 4.7 Access to meetings may be granted to other professional colleagues with the permission of the Chair 5. Frequency 5.1 Meetings will normally be held bi-monthly; the Forum will meet at least 5 times per year. 5.2 Meetings may also be called by the Chair outside the usual cycle 6. Authority 6.1 The Forum is authorised by the TEC to take action in respect of any activity within its Terms of Reference. It is authorised to seek any information it requires from any employee and all employees are directed to co-operate with any request made by the Forum 6.2 Recommendations from the group will usually be by consensus 6.3 In the event of a highly controversial item, the Chair will collate and represent the range of views of the Clinical Advisory Group to the Executive 7. Duties 7.1 Vision & Strategy To support the Trust and where appropriate other health care providers to develop the clinical vision and strategy for the future of health services To contribute clinical expertise to the strategic and operational plans, and provide clinical ownership and championing of these plans To support the Trust to determine priorities for investment and disinvestment both across and within the different care pathways To support the Trust to continuously improve clinical and care outcomes of all commissioned services To support the Trust to ensure safety whilst achieving financial balance and value for money 3.2 Providing Clinical Leadership To provide clinical oversight and leadership for the MHA committee? and the MHARM forum To provide professional oversight for the OPMH advisory group Where necessary the Group will publicly support implementation of executive decisions to give legitimacy to service change 3.3 Developing Clinical Leadership To support clinicians to act as leaders within their professions, specialities and organisations to drive service development and improvement To develop and maintain a constructive relationship with the MAC,PAC LNC, JCNC and other professional bodies Clinical Advisory Group Tor - 12 April 13.Doc 3 of 5
8. Reporting 8.1 The minutes of the Forum meetings shall be formally recorded. The Chair of the Forum shall draw to the attention of the TEC any issues that require disclosure, or Executive action 8.2 The Forum will report annually to the TEC in respect of fulfilment of its functions as set out in these Terms of Reference. Such report shall include, but not be limited to, functions undertaken in connection with any pertinent matters in respect of which the Forum has been engaged 8.3 An Annual Agenda Framework will be established at the start of each financial year. Items of any other business may not be added in the interim without the agreement of the Chair 8.4 Draft Agenda and call for papers will be circulated at least xx weeks before the meeting 8.5 The agenda and supporting papers will be circulated by email at least 7 days in advance of the meeting. Papers may not be tabled without the agreement of the Chair 8.6 Minutes and Action Log will be taken by the support officer and routinely circulated to members within xx days of the meeting 8.7 Minutes will be circulated to the members with an expectation that they will be disseminated internally as they seem appropriate and take any actions agreed at the meeting within specified timeframes 8.8 The Clinical Advisory Forum is an advisory group to the Trust Executive Group 8.9 The Clinical Advisory Forum will be consulted in decision making about the strategic configuration of services and significant pathway redesign from an early stage so that they have the greatest opportunity to influence the outputs 8.10 The Clinical Advisory Forum will support the clinical service divisions in working alongside the emerging Clinical Commissioning Groups to add a wider perspective to locality based commissioning 9. Review 9.1 The Terms of Reference of the Forum shall be reviewed by TEC at least annually 9.2 During this review the Forum will be assessed to ensure it has performed in accordance with these terms of reference, specifically that: The Forum has carried out the duties required The Forum has reported to the TEC and other Forums as required Reports to the Forum have been scrutinised by the TEC, as appropriate Membership, frequency of meetings and attendance has been as stated The Forum has been quorate each time it has met Date approved by the Forum: Date approved by the TEC: Effectiveness Review due: Clinical Advisory Group Tor - 12 April 13.Doc 4 of 5
Appendix 1: Position in corporate governance structure Clinical Advisory Group Tor - 12 April 13.Doc 5 of 5