§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans the Government have to involve citizens in the formulation of the citizens charter. [30150]
§ Mr. HoramConsultation with people who use services is a key charter principle. Services should talk to their users to find out what they want before making decisions about standards and priorities. Service providers are actively encouraged to involve users when preparing charters and setting standards and are given guidance and help by Departments and the charters unit.
Many service providers involve users when revising national and local charters. For example, the Department of Health asked the public what standards they would want in the revised patients charter. The reduction in waiting time targets, and the inclusion of patients' rights when using NHS dentists and standards for children's services were a result of this consultation. The tenants charter published in June 1995 also benefited from user feedback.