Legal and regulatory requirements for NHS service change

Olovus-photo-001

Our bespoke briefing on legal and regulatory requirements for service change provides comprehensive coverage of the subject.

The session covers what service change is, the legal and regulatory requirements that apply, relevant guidance, and managing the risks of legal challenge and call-in. 

At the end of the session, participants will:
  • Understand what counts as service change.
  • Be clear on the statutory drivers to involve and consult.
  • Be able to reference recent legal cases that underline these requirements and inform professional practice in this area.
  • Be familiar with the fundamental principles that govern public consultations in the UK.
  • Understand how to manage the risks of legal challenge and a call-in from the Secretary of State.
  • 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…

Read the full story

Citizens’ Jury on pain management

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…

Read the full story

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…

Read the full story

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,…

Read the full story

Get in touch

If you are planning a service change programme and want to talk through how we can support you, we would be glad to help you.

Olovus-007