Written question asked by Richard Taylor (Independent (affiliation)) on Tuesday, 29 January 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 31 January 2008. It was answered by Ann Keen (Labour) on Thursday, 21 February 2008 on behalf of the Department of Health.

National Centre for Involvement

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will require the National Centre for Involvement to provide information, advice and learning opportunities to patients, NHS service users and local involvement networks members in relation to improving consultation at national, regional and local levels in the NHS.

Answer: The NHS Centre for Involvement (NCI) is a consortium of organisations comprising the University of Warwick, Centre for Public Scrutiny and Long Term Conditions Alliance. The NCI has been contracted by the Department to promote more effective patient and public involvement and consultation and to provide support, advice and guidance to stakeholders in this respect. Key among those receiving the NCI's support are patients and the public themselves.The NCI is delivering a major programme of work to support those involved in local involvement networks (LINks)—patients, users of social services and the public, as well as those groups and organisations involved in supporting and participating in LINks. The NCI also provides information to members of the public more generally about patient and public involvement in the national health service.

Secondary information