Llais sets out expectations for Powys NHS services consultation

Speaking at a meeting of Powys Teaching Health Board on 16 September, Llais Powys regional director Katie Blackburn outlined the questions people are asking about the Better Together proposals and highlighted the importance of a consultation process that enables people to understand the proposals, participate meaningfully, and see how their views are taken into account.

Katie also reiterated that Llais has not been involved in selecting the options being considered. Its role is to listen to people, represent their views and raise the themes emerging from what it hears throughout the consultation process.

Katie said: 

"This is not simply a conversation about hospital beds. These proposals cover a much wider model of care, including physical health, urgent care and diagnostics, mental health, and the community services that support people before, between and after those services.

"Alongside the understandable question of where beds will be located, people will also want to understand how this whole model of care will work for them and their communities."

Llais also highlighted that people will want clear information about what is being proposed, why change is being considered, how the options have been developed, and what any changes could mean in practice for them, their families and their communities.

The organisation also highlighted the importance of access in a rural county such as Powys, where travel times, transport options and the support available around services can have a significant impact on people's experiences of care.

Katie said: 

"People need to understand not just what is being proposed, but why, and what it could mean in practice for them, their families and their communities.

"In Powys, access is about much more than where a service is based. People will be thinking about how they get there, how long the journey takes, whether they can rely on someone else for transport, and what repeated journeys could mean for them and their families."

Llais additionally stressed the importance of ensuring that any consultation is inclusive, meaningful and accessible. It highlighted the importance of understanding who may not be taking part in the consultation, including people facing barriers because of disability, language, caring responsibilities, transport or digital access, as well as those who may not engage through formal meetings or consultation documents.

Katie added: 

"People will want to understand how responses are analysed, how themes and alternative ideas are considered, and ultimately how their views contribute to the decisions that follow.

"Just as importantly, people need to understand what influence their contribution can have on the process, and what it cannot."

As part of that focus, Llais has requested a mid-point review if the consultation proceeds. The review would consider who is taking part, whether any communities are being missed, and whether people are getting the information and answers they need to engage effectively.

If consultation goes ahead, Llais will attend events across Powys, listen to people's experiences, concerns, questions and ideas, and continue to raise emerging themes with the Health Board throughout the process.

Katie added: 

"Llais is independent and we will remain independent throughout this process. We want to work constructively with the Health Board while ensuring that people's views, experiences and concerns are properly heard and represented.

"Our role is not to determine the outcome. Our role is to make sure people's voices form part of the evidence considered as decisions are made.

"Consultation is not simply about giving people a voice. It is about showing people that their voice matters."