‘User involvement is meaningless if it’s just at a low level’ – one of Anna Millington’s comments to the NTA conference to launch the new three-year strategy (page 6).
The NTA has taken care to involve service users in feedback to the strategy, and there is enthusiasm for its dedication to putting service users’ needs first. But Anna’s comment does sum up the need for continued consultation.
Leaving the conference there was appreciation among service-using delegates of the open presentation of plans; but the big PS to the event has to be the need for continued dialogue to take the exercise beyond paper and into joint planning over the next three years. We’ve already had feedback from one delegate (letters, page 9).