1.
How do PCAG ensure patient confidentiality is maintained?
PCAG take the matter of
patient confidentiality extremely seriously.
As a result, the department make strenuous efforts to ensure that the
audit and governance work that is carried out is compatible with Caldicott
guidance on patient confidentiality.
None of the audit protocols or
clinical governance related surveys that the department produce directly
identify individual patients. Indeed,
no data collection forms or electronic audit software produced by the department
carry patient sensitive information.
Moreover, when compiling audit reports, PCAG produce aggregated audit results that are returned directly to each practice that has participated. This process ensures that individual practices are only party to their own results, although aggregated Leicestershire-wide results are also provided for comparison.
2.
Who are PCAG hosted by, and what are the implications of this?
From 1991 to 2002, PCAG were part of Leicestershire Health. In 2001, it was agreed that the department would become part of Eastern Leicester Primary Care Trust, and in April 2002, PCAG officially transferred to the PCT.
As part of the current hosting
arrangements, Eastern Leicester PCT provide PCAG with accommodation and support,
for example, access to Human Resources and Financial Services.
All members of the PCAG team are now employees of Eastern Leicester PCT.
Although PCAG are now hosted by Eastern Leicester PCT, the department will continue to provide audits and support to all practices and Primary Care Trusts across Leicestershire. Indeed, PCAG’s work programme for 2002-4 has been agreed by the PCAG Steering Group, which is made up of representatives from all six local PCTs.
3.
Do PCAG work with pharmaceutical companies?
In recent years PCAG have
undertaken various projects with pharmaceutical companies. For example, the PCAG team were responsible for project
managing the BLOWMRH project, an initiative to improve the care of CHD patients,
involving three local PCTs and six pharmaceutical companies.
However, before agreeing to undertake work with pharmaceutical companies, PCAG insist that the terms of Eastern Leicester PCT’s commercial sponsorship policy are strictly adhered to. Further, when working with pharmaceutical companies on specific audit projects, PCAG insist that the content of each audit protocol is determined by the department, in conjunction with the PCAG Steering Group.
4.
What is the PCAG Steering Group?
The PCAG Steering Group
includes representatives from all six Primary Care Trusts and the Strategic
Health Authority. The group also
includes a local pharmacist, optician and dental advisor.
The group meets every two
months and is responsible for monitoring PCAG’s work programme. The group also monitor regular financial reports.
In addition, the Steering Group are responsible for agreeing PCAG’s Service Level Agreement, which sets out the work that the department will undertake.