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Professional executive committees (PECs)

  • Last modified date:
    4 October 2007

Professional executive committees (PECs) are an important aspect of clinical leadership in primary care

Every primary care trust (PCT) has a PEC. The PEC must have a majority of members whose professional work reflects the function of the PCT. For example, members can include GPs, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, dentists, opticians, amongst others.

Therefore, PECs are able to provide a professional viewpoint on the strategy and operations of the PCT.

Clarification of PEC Chair and member status and pension arrangements

04 October 2007: Letter from Mark Britnell, Director General of Commissioning and System Management, clarifying the position regarding the status of PEC members and pension arrangements.

New advice on PEC remuneration

07 June 2007: New guidance for PECs published on 30 March 2007, committed to giving PCTs flexibility to adopt local approaches to PEC remuneration. Additional guidance is now available in a letter from David Nicholson. The legislative changes necessary to support this approach will be in place by 1 October 2007.

New guidance for the PCT Professional Executive Committee

30 March 2007: Following a three month consultation on the future of PECs, new guidance has now been published.  PCTs are asked to implement the guidance by 1 October 2007.  A "Frequently Asked Questions" page will be added to this site shortly.

Consultation on a review of PECs

23 November 2006: A review of PECs has now concluded and the outcomes of that review have informed a consultation document and supporting annexes. The consultation document is seeking views from the NHS and stakeholders on roles and functions of PECs in the new PCT landscape. The deadline for responses is 7 February 2007.

Allowances for PEC chairs and members

2005/6 Allowances

21st April 2006: The Secretary of State has agreed that no uplift would be made to the allowances and locum payments paid to PEC chairs and members for 2005/06. This is in line with the no uplift agreed for PCT chairs and non-executive directors for 2005/06, announced by Lord Warner on the 30th March.

Therefore, the allowance and locum payments still stand as follows:

  Allowance Locum
Payment		 Total

PEC Chair 

£25,061

£12,633

£37,694
PEC Member   

£7,428

£5,627

£13,055

2006/07 Allowances

No decision has yet been made regarding an uplift for 2006/07.

When a decision has been made, it will be communicated through the Chief Executive's Bulletin and this webpage.

Legislation, guidance and links

Links to Department of Health guidance, legislation, and other documents and websites.

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