Avoid Judicial Reviews by Undertaking Robust Independent Public Consultation

Following Royal Brompton and NHS Harefield Foundation Trust’s successful judicial review of the national consultation into the reconfiguration of paediatric cardiac services, the NHS is likely to see a significant increase in judicial reviews.  Similarly, in local government, more than 20 judicial reviews have resulted from service users challenging proposals to change the eligibility to access services.  This is due in part to the fact that new legislation strengthens the need to consult with a wider range of groups before reaching any decision.

The Agencia approach to consultation has been identified as an appropriate response to a judicial review

Agencia Consulting has undertaken consultation on changes to services for organisations across the country.  These consultations are often of a sensitive and controversial nature, including the closure of residential homes and remodelling of healthcare provision.  Clients include Derby City Council, North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus, Gloucestershire County Council, Staffordshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Leicester LINk and their NHS partners.

Agencia has a 14 year history of enabling organisations to consult with their service users, stakeholders and the general public

The Agencia team can work with you to:

• Undertake formal public consultation on disinvestment /reinvestment proposals.
• Design and independently chair/facilitate engagement events.
• Digest the implications of the consultation results for service change.
• Develop a comprehensive evidence base for service redesign.
• Provide training in facilitation techniques.

Benefits of working with Agencia to undertake consultation

• Our approach to such sensitive exercises has been identified as an appropriate response to a judicial review.
• We are known for reassuring those being consulted that we faithfully record and report only what we are told. Our independence and impartiality is guaranteed.
• We can offer a wide variety of consultation techniques including facilitated public meetings, dedicated phonelines, surveys and interviews to ensure that the consultation is widely accessible and robust.
• We are a team with expertise in public sector finance, change management and strategic planning and our facilitators have backgrounds in nursing, social services and specialist mental health services.

Get in touch today by emailing grahambarnett@agenciaconsulting.com or calling us on 01482 649900 to take up our invitation to a free initial consultation.