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BRIS-162

Routinely evaluate NHS public involvement mechanisms based on evidence of effectiveness

Bristol Heart Inquiry · Bristol Heart Inquiry — Final Report · Issued 18 July 2001

Government responseNot tracked (historical inquiry)

DeliveryDHSC and NHS England say in progress (Feb 2026)

Recommendation, verbatim from the inquiry

●Inquiry recommendation

The mechanisms for the involvement of the public in the NHS should be routinely evaluated. These mechanisms should draw on the evidence of what works.

Bristol Heart Inquiry, Bristol Heart Inquiry — Final Report · 18 Jul 2001 Source PDF →

Government response

●No formal government response recorded

The Index has not yet recorded a verbatim government response to this recommendation.

Delivery

●DHSC and NHS England say in progress · 27 Feb 2026

The Thirlwall Inquiry has noted action taken in response to this recommendation. Please see our response to Recommendation 157 and 159 above for details of the annual assessment process.

From: The Thirlwall Inquiry: Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version dated April 2025)

Site note: DHSC and NHS England's own account of progress, supplied to the Thirlwall Inquiry in September 2024 and printed in the Inquiry legal team's Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version dated April 2025, published 27 February 2026). It is not a finding of the Inquiry. Their reviewed extent of implementation reads “Implemented – Ongoing”. Table row: section 6.2 No. 162, PDF page 144.

What other bodies have found

In their own words. These do not change the delivery statement above.

●Thirlwall Inquiry legal team · 27 Feb 2026

The Government agreed with this recommendation.

In its January 2002 response, the Department of Health proposed that the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health would identify and disseminate standards for the establishment, operation and evaluation of patient and public involvement and would submit regular reports to the Secretary of State.

The National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 establish the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health.

From: The Thirlwall Inquiry: Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version dated April 2025)

Site note: The Thirlwall Inquiry legal team's own notes on implementation, from its Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version dated April 2025, published 27 February 2026). The review colours its Extent of Implementation cell for this recommendation green, which it uses to mark evidence, identified by the legal team and/or DHSC and NHS England, that a recommendation has been clearly implemented. Table row: section 6.2 No. 162, PDF page 144.

Earlier findings (1)

●Thirlwall Inquiry legal team · 15 May 2024

The Government agreed with this recommendation.

In its January 2002 response, the Department of Health proposed that the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health would identify and disseminate standards for the establishment, operation and evaluation of patient and public involvement and would submit regular reports to the Secretary of State.

The National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 established the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health.

From: The Thirlwall Inquiry: Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version of 15 May 2024)

Site note: The Thirlwall Inquiry legal team's own notes on implementation, from its Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version of 15 May 2024). The review colours its Extent of Implementation cell for this recommendation green, which it uses to mark evidence, identified by the legal team, that a recommendation has been clearly implemented. Table row: section 6.2 No. 162, PDF page 124.

How this page is built

The recommendation and the government responses are verbatim from primary documents. Delivery statements and other bodies' findings are shown in their own words, each with its source. The summary is written by this site and labelled as such. The Index does not paraphrase sources or characterise intent; it records what has been published.