Work of the NJR Committees
 

Work of the NJR Committees

2019/20 NJR Steering Committee Chairman's report - Laurel Powers-Freeling

This section provides brief outlines of the work undertaken by the NJR Steering Committee (NJRSC) and its sub-committees during 2019/20. Although brief, these sections are written with the intent of illustrating the ever-increasing scope of the work of the Registry and the valuable commitment made by all committee members to meet the needs of patient, orthopaedic, and regulatory stakeholders.

NJRSC Structure, Governance and Operating Model:

The NJRSC is designated as a NHS England ‘Committee of Experts’ and Chairman Laurel Powers-Freeling reports directly to the NHS E Medical Director. The NJRSC is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the NJR and overseeing its work. It also oversees a supporting structure of nine standing sub-committees, ensuring delivery of objectives and work plans from each. Key responsibilities of the NJRSC are to ensure that:
• Appropriate advice is provided to the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership, the legal entity which hosts the NJR on behalf of NHS England, on NJR operational and financial matters;
• The NJR budget is effectively managed and monitored;
• The NJR sub-committee structure is fit for purpose and all sub-committees have clear terms of reference, agreed composition and defined purpose and responsibilities;
• Outcomes achieved by brand of prostheses, hospital and surgeon are monitored and where these fall below expected performance, are highlighted to enable prompt investigation and follow-up by relevant implant suppliers, regulators, commissioners and providers of orthopaedic care;
• Appropriate stakeholders (patients, clinicians, providers and commissioners of healthcare, regulators, professional societies and implant suppliers) are involved in and consulted on the work of the NJR as appropriate and informed of outcomes achieved in joint replacement surgery;
• Patient awareness of joint replacement outcomes is enhanced to better inform patient choice and quality of experience, through engagement with patients, patient organisations and providers of care;
• Evidence-based purchasing (quality and cost effectiveness) of joint replacement implants by healthcare providers is supported;
• Post-market surveillance of implants by key stakeholders (implant suppliers, the Regulator, Beyond Compliance and ODEP) is supported;
• Codes of conduct applied to NJR Contractor(s) in their relationship with key stakeholders are monitored;
• Delivery and quality of work of NJR Contractors is effectively contract managed;
• Accurate, relevant and timely data collected by the NJR is made available to relevant regulators, commissioners and providers/suppliers of orthopaedic care, in an appropriate format, in order to support clinical governance;
• An annual report on the work of the NJR is published and made available in both the English and Welsh languages (and languages appropriate to any future countries that may be incorporated into the NJR) and in patient-friendly language;
• Appropriate governance and monitoring arrangements are in place to facilitate the use of NJR data to support and enable related research;
• NHS England (and devolved administrations as appropriate) is provided with advice on the NJR’s strategic direction, annual operational plan and work programme and financial position (including annual review of subscription charges and any proposed change);
• NHS England is updated on the performance of prostheses and good surgical practice, international collaboration work with other national orthopaedic joint registries, and any financial and/or intellectual property implications associated with licensing of the ‘NJR brand’.

Membership 2019/20

During this reporting period, the following changes to the membership of the NJRSC can be reported:

NHS Trust management member Rob Hurd left the NJRSC following his appointment to a new role within the NHS. His successor will be appointed in 2020/21.

Co-opted member Mr Matthew Porteous retired from the NJR, also stepping down from his roles as Chairman of the NJR Regional Clinical Coordinators and Data Quality sub-committees and Vice Chairman of the Surgeon Performance sub-committee. A successor will be appointed during 2020/21. In the interim, Mr Tim Wilton, NJR Medical Director, will chair the sub-committees on a temporary basis.

Dr Khalid Razak, MHRA representative, also completed his co-opted NJRSC membership and was succeeded by MHRA colleague Sharon Knight.

Mr Don McBride completed his annual co-opted membership as BOA President in September 2019 and was succeeded by incoming BOA President Mr Bob Handley.

The NJR is thankful to all of its members, past and present, for their considerable contribution to the Registry. Details of the membership of the NJRSC and each of its sub-committees for 2019/20 can be found in online appendices. Further information on changes this year, with the Chairman’s expressed thanks, can also be found in the Chairman’s Foreword.