Originally published 3 July 2020. This article is retained from the tCI archive. Law, policy or practice may have changed since publication.
This is an important article for several reasons. Firstly, it is a brilliant critique of the sad failure to involve public and patients in the top-down lockdown. Secondly, it provides a good rationale for the urgent necessity for greater public and patient involvement as we emerge from the lockdown period; it won’t be quick! Thirdly, it discusses new approaches that we should all consider. Finally, it is timely. It can only be a matter of weeks before the NHS will have to reinforce its commitment to engage with those who use it. And that will be the moment for some searching questions. Can the NHS continue to consult separately from social care? Will it pay more attention to what the public is saying – now that so many have died due to excessive centralised decision-making? And can we harness the manifest goodwill towards the NHS to secure greater public interest in its decision-making? This excellent article is a good start to the debate.