Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what sanctions are available to deal with NHS organisations that do not fully engage with staff in accordance with the NHS constitution when considering major changes in the way services are provided.
The NHS Constitution pledges to engage staff in decisions that affect them and the services they provide. All National Health Service organisations are expected to adhere to this expectation, but are not legally obliged to do so. A failure to engage with staff may lead to investigation and the imposition of mandated support or enforcement action. Foundation trusts have a council of governors, which includes staff representatives, which can hold the board to account.