Editor's blog Friday 13 May 2011:The cynical contempt of the Future Forum listening farce, Part Two

The joyous merriment of the pointless Future Forum listening exercise is becoming a gift that keeps on giving.


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Click here for details of 'You say substantive and I say substantial', Issue 7 of subscription-based Health Policy Intelligence.

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Another reader sends in their email correspondence over their request for details of and to attend the listening exercise; copied below.

From: REDACTED SHA
Date: May 2011
To: SENDER
Subject: Listening Events

Sorry for the delay in responding to you email. The listening events are being organised at a local level, so for SUB-SECTOR events, the best person for you to contact would be NAME AND EMAIL HERE

From: REDACTED SUB-SECTOR CONTACT
Date: May 2011
To: SENDER
Subject: RE: Listening Events

Thanks for your email but I am afraid I am going to be of little help.

Unfortunately the only upcoming events I am aware of in SUB-SECTOR are with specific groups. One with voluntary organisations and another with medical academics. These events are not being run by the NHS locally.  It is the NHS Future Forum that is the organisation leading the listening exercise and more information can be found at http://healthandcare.dh.gov.uk/category/conversations/listening-exercise-conversations/

I hope this is helpful even if it is not the complete answer you were hoping for.

From: SENDER
Sent: May 2011
To: REDACTED 1 (SHA), REDACTED 2 (SUB-SECTOR)
Cc: SENDER’S MP
Subject: Re: Listening Events

Thanks for this 

You are right - this is not the answer I was hoping for although the one I was begin to fear.

Just to recap: it is now 7 or so weeks since the Prime Minister launched a listening exercise with an approximate length of 2 months

I emailed the NHS Futures Forum to ask for details of listening events. They told me to contact my SHA. I contacted my SHA, and they told me to contact THE SUB-SECTOR ORGANISATION. I contacted you and you tell me to contact the NHS Futures Forum. Can that be right?

Meanwhile, health ministers announce over 200 listening events are being held; yet when the shadow health spokesman asks for times and dates, Health Minister Simon Burns tells the House Of Commons these will be listed in the final report (i.e. after they have been held).

I also understand that Prof Field's group will be submitting a report next week, before the consultation ends, so I'm not sure how they will be able to include the views of those who have submitted written responses or who are participating in those of the 200 (secret) events that haven't yet been held.

I am not blaming you personally, because it is clear that this is a policy decision rather some breakdown in management arrangements.

I am copying this email to my MP, although I have already written to him over a week ago asking for his help to find out the details of the local meetings, but have not even received a response

From: REDACTED SUB-SECTOR RECIPIENT
Date: May 2011
To: SENDER
Cc: SENDER’S MP
Subject: RE: Listening Events

I completely understand your frustration and am sorry I cannot resolve this for you although if I could, I would eagerly do so. I have already raised this with the SHA, as it is not right that you should be passed through the system as you have.

My apologies again for this.