Can consultees ever provide you with unbiased opinions? Last week, we were approached by someone working in the NHS, seeking advice about the wisdom of consulting the public about the location of a new facility. Apparently, there were two viable options, but, paraphrasing a little, the suggestion was that consultee views would merely reflect their postcodes. […]
How objective can you be in consultations? Read More »
This week the High Court published its judgment on the legal challenge to the Government’s funding of services for those with Special Educational Needs and Disability or SEND. It ruled in favour of the Chancellor and the Education Secretary. There had been no irrationality, no breach of S.149 of the 2010 Equality Act nor had
Clued-up consultees give councils a SEND headache Read More »
The latest referral Report from the IRP (Independent Reconfiguration Panel) highlights the perils of taking too long to make decisions on NHS re-configurations. Work on an acute services strategy for the half-a-million people living in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and adjacent parts of Powys began over 11 years ago and since 2013, has formed part
Telford’s referral fails to stop the NHS centralising at Shrewsbury Read More »
Government plans to spend on hospitals require extensive public involvement and consultation. Rejoice! Hang out the bunting! Pop open the champagne! Celebrate! A bright, gleaming new hospital must surely be one of the most coveted assets a locality can acquire. Who can possibly complain? That must be the thinking behind the Government announcement of a
Who can say ‘No’ to a new hospital? Read More »
In our newsletter two weeks ago, we published an article under the title “The worst consultation narrative of the year?” It featured proposals for service changes affecting the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton and unsurprisingly aroused much enthusiasm among its opponents. Local newspapers quoted our article, and members of the Institute telephoned to say they were glad we were highlighting
Is it ever right to ‘name and shame’ a public consultation? Read More »
Lady Hale’s first words last Tuesday were: ‘It is important to emphasise that the issue in these appeals is not when and on what terms the United Kingdom is to leave the European Union.’ In other words, the case was about process – not the political issue that probably made it contentious. It did not stop Government
Supreme Court’s experience as a lesson for many judicial reviews Read More »
A critique of the documentation published to support a consultation on proposals for changes to services at the Friarage Hospital. At the Institute we are, as you’d expect, fans of a solid consultation narrative. We’re privileged to contribute to a fair few, helping our members and clients to take account of the latest requirements and
The worst consultation narrative of the year? Read More »
Is a disillusioned public more or less likely to embrace public consultation? Week-by-week, the political hysteria-level rises, and it is a common assumption by the commentariat that trust in politicians and the political process is at an all-time low. Does this mean that attempts to engage and consult on important issues will become more difficult?
Consultation at a time of disappearing trust Read More »
This is a list of organisations that have had to appear in the High Court to defend their public consultations just this year so far. Win or lose, they have incurred considerable costs and delays. On occasions they have been embarrassed by bad publicity and some have had their decisions quashed. This is the tip
Judicial Review – can it happen to anyone? Read More »
Every profession spawns a unique vocabulary, often supplemented by acronyms and initialisations bewildering to an outsider. Attend a meeting of Health Professionals and you will be bombarded by a complex internal language, perfectly comprehensible to those working in that field and mind-bending if you do not. This led us to open the chapter on Health
Mind your language… Read More »
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