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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…