About the Future Forum

NHS Listening Exercise: Phase I

On 6th April 2011, the Government initiated a two-month NHS listening exercise in order to 'pause, listen and reflect' on their proposed NHS reforms as described in the Health and Social Care Bill.

The NHS Future Forum, a 45 strong panel comprising clinicians, patient representatives, voluntary sector representatives and others from the health field, including frontline staff, was appointed to oversee the listening exercise. The Forum was chaired by Professor Steve Field, immediate past Chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners.

The NHS Future Forum was asked to gather feedback on four main themes:

•    choice and competition;
•    public accountability and patient involvement;
•    education and training;
•    clinical advice and leadership.

During the listening exercise, the  Forum conducted local engagement events across the NHS to engage staff and leaders in improving the NHS reform plans, engaged with existing professional and other networks from across the health sector, and encouraged pathfinder consortia and early implementer health and wellbeing boards to contribute their views.

The NHS Future Forum also used surveying, polling, digital engagement and other techniques to harness a wide range of views and took part in a small number of national engagement events.

The Department of Health confirmed that in the course of the listening exercise, Future Forum members attended approximately 200 events and met with over 6,700 people in person. Over 25,000 people sent their views to the Forum by email and a further 4,000  sent private comments, completed questionnaires or website responses.

NHS Listening Exercise: Phase II

On Thursday 18th August 2011, the Prime Minister announced a second phase of the NHS listening exercise. The NHS Future Forum continued to oversee the listening exercise and will offer recommendations to Government on the NHS reforms proposed in the Health and Social Care Bill.

The NHS Future Forum has continued to be chaired by Professor Steve Field, and has been expanded to over 50 members. The Prime Minister announced that the Forum would focus on four areas:  

•    education and training;
•    information;
•    integrated services;
•    public health.

Upon the announcement of the forward role for the NHS Future Forum, the Secretary of State for Health, the Rt Hon Andrew Lansley MP said:  

‘The work of the NHS Future Forum has been invaluable in helping shape our plans for improving the health service. It gave us the opportunity to address head on the concerns people had – helping to make the NHS more modern, dynamic and innovative.  

‘Following its report, I accepted all the core recommendations on issues like competition and local commissioning. I’m delighted that the NHS Future Forum will continue its excellent work with patients, service users and professionals, looking at important issues such as education and training, and ensuring we work towards an improved healthcare system.’

 Chair of the Forum, Professor Steve Field said:  

‘If we want the health and care system to change and meet the challenges of the future, then it is essential that we make sure that the thoughts and concerns of clinicians and, importantly, patients and service users, are listened to.  

‘With a broader membership across health and social care and a defined focus, I believe the NHS Future Forum will stimulate important debate on issues that really matter to people.’

On Thursday 17th November 2011, the NHS Future Forum published a letter to the Secretary of State for Health, the Rt Hon Andrew Lansley MP. The letter details some interim findings and advice on information, integrated care and the NHS’s role in improving the public’s health. Please click here to read the NHS Future Forum's letter to the Secretary of State for Health.

On Tuesday 10th January 2012, the NHS Future Forum published its second set of recommendations. To read the reports and the Government's response to the NHS Future Forum's recommendations, please click here.