§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department is taking to ensure that the public is aware of the choosing health consultation events; what estimate he has made of the cost of(a) hosting and (b) advertising such events; and whether the costs will be met by his Department. [160657]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe "Choosing Health"? consultation will be supported by events across the country, organised by the national health service and local authorities, by regional directors of public health with Government offices of the regions, and by the Department of Health and other Government Departments at national level. The consultation process will be managed within existing budgets by the organisation leading the event. Some events will be shaped by initial responses to the consultation, so it is not possible to estimate costs.
We anticipate that other organisations who choose to engage in the debate will also run events, nationally and locally, and encourage their members and contacts to take part.
Organisations will use existing forums for discussion as well as special arrangements for the consultation.
Activities can be publicised on the Department's "Choosing Health"? website, which can be found at www.dh.gov.uk/consultations/liveconsultations. It will be for organisers to determine whether any additional action is needed to promote individual events, for example, targeting key groups or stakeholders.