One of the biggest parts of a service transformation programme in the NHS is to formally consult the public. A public consultation can be a sensitive, high-profile exercise that draws significant interest and scrutiny from the public, the media, and politicians alike. Skilled management is a necessity, if your consultation is to be a success.
This participative training session takes participants through the process of managing a public consultation to a successful conclusion.
At the end of the session, participants will:
Understand the key points of a consultation exercise to monitor.
Know how to identify issues that need to be managed, assess risk and take action.
Be clear on the implications of risk management actions taken and how to mitigate them.
Be familiar with managing the expectations of programme and organisational leaders, stakeholders and consultees.
Full day session
Available in-person only
Success stories
Independent facilitation for public engagement events and reporting for a new hospital programme
NHS Lanarkshire had reached the final stages of a multi-year process to choose a site to build a hospital to replace the ageing University Hospital Monklands in Airdrie. Three possible locations for the new site had made it through a contentious process to the shortlist. The health board appointed Olovus to facilitate a series of…
A new blueprint for tackling persistent pain in the North East and North Cumbria: how a Citizens’ Jury shaped regional health policy Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria (HI NENC) faced a complex, long-standing challenge in tackling some of the highest rates of opioid prescription in England. This issue was especially prevalent in areas of…
Closing a birthing unit: consulting service users and local communities
An NHS organisation in the north of England commissioned Olovus in January 2025 to provide expert support for the permanent closure of a local hospital birthing service. The service was initially suspended on a temporary basis and had been closed for five years. When commissioners decided not to reinstate the service, the local Overview and…
Shaping the future of short break services in South Tyneside
We led a crucial co-design project to reshape short break services in South Tyneside. By focusing on the unique, lived experiences of families and people with learning disabilities through surveys, field trips, and co-design sessions, a new service specification was developed that prioritises safety, accessibility, and person-centred care. For families of people with learning disabilities,…
