Recent guidance from the Department of Health and National Health Services (NHS) Executive has stressed the importance of public involvement in the NHS. This paper places this guidance in the historical context of public consultation in the NHS and explores, through a detailed case study, the traditional approach to consultation that the guidance is seeking to change. The paper concludes with some reflections on the challenges that will need to be addressed in order for the guidance to be put into practice.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Community Health Council. The Response of CHC to the NHS Trust Application by Mental Health Unit.London: CHC, 1990.
2.
Department of Health. Working for Patients, CMND 555. London: HMSO, 1989a.
3.
Department of Health. Self Governing Hospitals. Working Paper 1. London: HMSO, 1989b.
4.
Department of Health. Self-Governing Hospitals: An Initial Guide.London: HMSO, 1989c.
5.
Department of Health. Baroness Hooper Reaffirms Principle of Consultation on Applications for Trust Status, Press Release June 13th. London: DoH, 1990.
6.
Department of Health. Code of Conduct/Code of Accountability, London: DoH, 1994.
7.
Department of Health and Social Security. The Membership of District Health Authorities, HC(81)6. London: DHSS, 1981.
8.
Department of Health and Social Security. NHS Management Enquiry, DA(83)38. London: DHSS, 1983.
9.
GrahamC.NHS Trusts: Continuity or discontinuity. In: PeckE.SpurgeonP., eds. NHS Trusts in Practice.London: Longman; 1993:4–15.
10.
CommitteeHealth. NHS Trusts: Interim Conclusions and Proposals for Future Inquiries.London: HMSO, 1992.
11.
KleinR.The Politics of the NHS.London: Longman, 1989.
12.
KleinR.LewisJ.The Politics of Consumer Representation., London, Centre for Studies in Social Policy, 1976.
13.
Ministry of Health. Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Allegations of Ill-Treatment of Patients and Other Irregularities at the Ely Hospital, Cmnd 3975. London: HSMO, 1969.
14.
NHS Trusts Unit. Update on Consultation.London: NHS Trust Unit, 1990.
15.
National Health Service Management Executive. Consultation and Involving the ConsumerLondon: HMSO, 1990.
16.
National Health Services Management Executive. Local Voices.London: NHSME, 1992.
17.
National Health Services Management Executive. Purchasing for Health: a Framework For Action.London: NHSME, 1993.
18.
PeckE.Power in the NHS–-A case study of a unit considering NHS Trust status. Health Services Management Research1991; 4(2), 120–31.
19.
PeckE.The prospective roles, selection and characteristics of an NHS Trust Board. In: PeckE.SpurgeonP., eds. NHS Trusts in Practice.London: Longman; 1993.
20.
PeckE.Eighteen months in the Life of an NHS Trust Board. Health Services Management Research1994; 7(3): 165–80.
21.
PeckE.The performance of an NHS Trust Board: Actors' accounts, minutes of meetings and observation, British Journal of Management1995; 6(2): 135–56.
22.
PeckE.Power and Decision-Making in the NHS (thesis). Newcastle: Newcastle University, 1996.
23.
PeckE.SpurgeonP.Conclusion: NHS Trusts in Practice.London: Longman, 1993.
24.
PeckE.PhoenixS.HayesS.The process of the Mid-Downs/East Surrey patient care review. Community Care Management and Planning1995; 3(2): 57–63.
25.
PhoenixS.Purchasing in transition. Community Care Management and Planning1995; 3(6): 190–94.
26.
RanadeW.Motives and behaviour in District Health Authorities. Public Administration1985; 63(Summer): 183–99.
27.
SilverR.Journey into the Unknown: London: South Thames RHA/NHS Executive, 1995.
28.
SmithH.Strategic planning of mental health services. Community Care Management and Planning1995; 3(1): 3–11.
29.
Social Services Committee. Griffiths NHS Management Inquiry Report: Social Services Committee First Report.London: HMSO, 1984.
