Public involvement and consultation about health services

The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 makes important changes to arrangements for patient and public involvement in the provision of health and social care services under the NHS. For the background, read our previous alert on this.

The Act received Royal Assent on 30 October 2007 but many of its provisions were to come into effect at later dates to be set out in commencement orders. The latest commencement order, the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (Commencement No.7) Order 2008, made on 11 September, brings into effect the changes relating to consultation about health services.

For most purposes the relevant provisions come into effect from 3 November 2008. The Department of Health has published further guidance on the Act.

If you would like to know more about how this affects you, or if you have any queries about consultation requirements in the NHS, please contact Anne Clayton (anne_clayton@wragge.com) in Wragge & Co's Public Law and Regulation team.