What is public consultation?
NHS Somerset is committed to understanding the needs of the local population. This is to ensure we can continue to deliver the best possible healthcare services in Somerset.
The NHS and council in Somerset are always hearing from and talking to people across the county, listening to their views and feedback on our services. These conversations happen in a number of ways, such as through public and patient meetings, workshops, Board meetings, our public panels and feedback we receive via PALS, surveys and other routes.
This ongoing conversation is what we call ‘engagement’. It helps us to make sure we hear what matters to local people and that our work and our services are meeting the needs of local people and communities. If appropriate adjustments or improvements to services are needed as a result of this engagement, then we make them.
Formal public consultation is different from public engagement. It is a mandatory process which NHS bodies - in this case NHS Somerset - have to go through when considering making significant, permanent changes to the way services are configured. It is a regulated process, which is described in detail in national NHS England guidance - NHS England » Planning, assuring and delivering service change for patients.
A consultation leads to a decision being made about changes to health and care.
A consultation is designed to get communities involved in decision making. This helps us to understand how Somerset residents may be affected by the changes. The NHS has to consult with patients and the public as well as Health overview and scrutiny committees (OSCs).
Public consultation gives people the opportunity to provide their views before any decisions are taken. We want to understand as many different views on the proposals as possible, including potential benefits or impacts, other ideas or adjustments that could be considered before a decision is made.
Once the public consultation ends, an independent research organisation will analyse all the responses and report the feedback. We will carefully consider all feedback, alongside other evidence and information gathered, such as further workforce and financial data. A final decision on the future configuration of the service will then be made by the NHS Somerset Board.
