Annual progress: Work of NJR Committees

2014/15 NJR Steering Committee report

This section provides brief outlines of the work undertaken by the NJR Steering Committee (NJRSC) and its sub-committees during 2014/15. Although brief, these sections intend to demonstrate the ever-increasing scope of the registry’s work and the commitment required by its members to meet the needs of its orthopaedic stakeholders.

Structure, governance and operating model

The NJR Steering Committee has overseen the implementation of enhanced structure, governance and operating arrangements endorsed by members, external stakeholders and NHS England. 

Following extensive consultation on the appropriate format and remit of a new Medical Advisory Committee and Executive Committee, the NJRSC is delighted to report that both new committees have been established. Please see the related ‘tabs’ to read about the inaugural work of these groups. 

These changes have been coupled with ongoing appointments for new NJRSC members, as existing terms of office have come to an end.

New members

For a second year, the work to re-appoint and appoint new members has represented a significant undertaking particularly as a number of long-standing members continue to reach the conclusion of their terms of office.

Working closely with the Department of Health appointments team and NHS England, the NJR management team and the NJRSC Chairman and members have successfully re-appointed and appointed the following members in the reporting period:
 

NJR Steering Committee representative

Expiry of term of office

Recent appointments

Chairman

31/3/2015 (commenced 1/4/2011)

Laurel Powers-Freeling, re-appointment from 1/4/2015 to 31/3/2018

Orthopaedic surgeon member 

Mr Martyn Porter, until 01/2/2014 when appointed to Medical Director post to 31/10/2017

Mr Peter Howard, from 27/5/2014 to 26/5/2017

Orthopaedic surgeon member

Professor Paul Gregg, Vice-Chairman and orthopaedic surgeon member until 30/4/2014 (commenced 2003)

M Professor Andrew Price, from 27/5/2014 to 26/5/2017

NHS Trust management member    Mr Andrew Woodhead, until 31/5/2014 (commenced 2007)    Rob Hurd, from 6/5/2014 to 5/5/2017

 

The co-opted position for the British Orthopaedic Association President was taken up by Professor Colin Howie on his election in September 2014 and Immediate Past President Professor Tim Briggs’s position will continue for the 2015/16 year in his capacity as lead of the national ‘Getting It Right First Time’ project.

At the time of writing, the announcement of an orthopaedic surgeon member and patient representative member was expected. Since that time, and in June 2015, orthopaedic surgeon Professor Amar Rangan was appointed to the NJRSC for a three year term, with orthopaedic surgeon Mr Hussain Khazi appointed as a co-opted member for a two-year term. 

A GP with special interest in orthopaedics is expected to be recruited in the 15/16 period in addition to the recruitment of an independent healthcare sector member following the resignation of member JJ De Gorter. Further information regarding these appointments will be available at www.njrcentre.org.uk.

These positions, being taken up in the 15/16 period, signal the conclusion of terms of office for the first two roles for long-standing members Mr Keith Tucker (orthopaedic surgeon) and Mary Cowern (patient representative). Both had their terms extended in 13/14 until 30/04/2015 and 30/09/2015 respectively. Latterly, the appointment of the independent sector representative will signal the conclusion of JJ De Gorter’s term of office. 

NJR must thank all of its members, past and present, for their considerable contribution to the registry. For Keith Tucker, particular thanks must be expressed for his contribution as Chairman of the NJR Implant Performance Sub-committee and providing key liaison between the registry and ODEP and new initiatives such as Beyond Compliance. Looking forward, for Mary Cowern, the registry must praise her driving force for patient engagement which oversaw the development of a strong patient voice in decision-making, the launch of the Public and patient guides and the establishment of the NJR Patient Network. For JJ De Gorter, particular thanks for his experience and specialist knowledge must also be shared, particularly through the NJR Editorial Board.

The membership of the NJR Steering Committee and membership of all sub-committees for 2013/14 can be found in online appendices. Further information can also be found in the Chairman’s introduction.