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The House of Commons Health Select Committee recently published a report on public and patient involvement in the NHS, and has made recommendations about how this can be addressed in the context of the Local Government and Involvement in Health Bill currently going through Parliament. This briefing paper sets out the key issues raised by the Health Select Committee along with some RCN positions. The RCN is lobbying to retain the existing statutory requirements for consultation.

Any future model of public patient involvement must have political teeth and a meaningful voice at a local and national level. Success will depend upon partnerships between patients, carers, communities, practitioners and other health service staff. NHS staff themselves are users of public services and should continue to play an active role in the development of democracy in public services. The RCN believes that the introduction of a statutory duty of public participation for providers, commissioners and regulators would stimulate participation by a wide range of stakeholders.

For further information, please email papa.ukintl.dept@rcn.org.uk