Issue - meetings

The following information outlines the approach to be taken in engaging and consulting with the public and key stakeholders about the proposal for change.

Sarah Merritt, Head of Nursing & Midwifery, RUH and Tamsin May, Head of Communications, B&NES CCG introduced this report to the Select Committee.

Sarah Merritt said that the Maternity Services reconfiguration programme is committed to continuing to engage with all relevant stakeholders. She added that early engagement and involvement has aimed to create an understanding of the challenges faced and the need for change, and contributed to the co-creation of the proposal for change.

She explained that Stage 1 Approval was gained in May 2018, an initial Stage 2 meeting took place in July 2018 and that a further meeting would take place in October to gain approval for consultation.

Tamsin May highlighted some of the guiding principles to the Select Committee.

• We will clearly set out what we are proposing, why these changes are needed, and why we are consulting with patients and the public. People must be very clear how their views and feedback will be used/have influence, and what the full consultation process involves.

·  We will consult with different groups in ways that are meaningful and appropriate for them including face to face meetings and surveys.

·  We will use communications and engagement channels which will provide patients, public and other stakeholders out of area information and opportunity to feedback on the proposal.

·  We will make sure that information and events are fully accessible, and are shared widely over a sufficient time period, so that all groups can fully engage in the consultation process.

·  We will share stakeholder feedback publicly and explain our final decision(s) with honesty and transparency.

She informed the Select Committee that the consultation and communications for the programme is being led by Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group on behalf of the Bath & North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Local Maternity System. She added that the Wiltshire CCG’s communications team, with the support of the Local Health Economy Communications Working Group (LHECWG), is responsible for the planning and implementation of the consultation plan and approach and will:

• Meet regularly as a local health economy communications and engagement group, and provide briefings and updates to communication colleagues from neighbouring CCG and provider organisations

• Work with Healthwatch and CCG PPE leads to ensure service user voice in discussions and decisions.

• Ensure consultation responses are thoroughly considered and are included as part of the decision making process.

She stated that materials are to be developed to support the consultation will and will include, but not be limited to:

• Core consultation document
• Easy read summary of the consultation document
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers
• Posters and leaflets summarising key information and signposting to feedback channels
• Dedicated website
• Survey for use online and hard copy.

She said that copies of the consultation document will be distributed to health and community settings and stakeholder groups across the local maternity system area as appropriate. She added that the consultation document will be made available in alternative versions e.g. large print, audio, on request.

She stated that a range of communications channels and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41