Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to ensure that public consultations on local NHS changes involve patients and the public.

National Health Service bodies have a statutory duty to engage with patients and the public about service change. Principles for service change are enshrined in the four reconfiguration tests as mandated by the government to NHS England. All local reconfiguration plans should satisfy these tests which are: (i) strengthened public and patient engagements, (ii) support from GP commissioners, (iii) clarity on the clinical evidence base and (iv) support for patient choice.

NHS England guidance on service change states that “effective involvement means being open and transparent about proposals enabling local stakeholders to have the opportunity to influence change.”[1]

[1] Planning, assuring and delivering service change for patients, NHS England, October 2015 Pg 14