2002/057 Members of NICE Citizens Council react to appointment

NICE 2002/ 057

Issued: 8 November 2002

Press Release

Members of NICE Citizens Council react to appointment

The names of the thirty men and women who will make up the UK's first Citizens Council have been announced today, and three of the Council's new members have issued reactions to their appointment.

Trevor Davison, a supervisor scaffolder who lives in Lincoln, Lincolnshire stated: "I think that the Citizens Council is a fantastic idea, and long overdue. The opinions of ordinary people, without a political agenda or expert knowledge of the NHS can make a real and significant difference to the way the experts see the needs and expectations of everyone."

Auriol Britton, presently an unemployed aspiring writer who lives in Bristol said: "I am thrilled and surprised to have been chosen out of all the thousands who applied. I think it is great that ordinary members of the public are being give a chance to influence the way decisions are made in the NHS and I hope I will be able to give opinions that reflect the public view."

Peter Thomas, a teacher who lives in Rhondda, Cynon Taff stated: "I like the fact that the Citizens Council will be open and transparent. It was refreshing to read the advert which stated that members of the public could make a difference to the way decisions are made within the NHS. It's a great opportunity for the NHS and one I am looking forward to be a part of."

The Citizens Council is an innovation to reflect public opinion in the guidance that NICE publishes about the clinical and cost effectiveness of treatments and care for the NHS. The Council will meet for the first time for three days from Thursday 21 November until Saturday 23 November in Salford near Manchester. The topic to be discussed will be released nearer the date of the meeting, which will be held in public**.

Ends

For further information or to attend the Council meeting contact:
Geoffrey Bowden, Nexus Structured Communications.
Louise Fish, NICE Communications Department.

** NOTE: The Council will hold its meetings in public. However there are space constraints at the venue - to ensure your place we do need to know in advance if you are interested in attending.

Notes for editors

1. Council and the media

The council attended an introductory meeting on 1 and 2 of November. This was an opportunity for them to meet each other and discuss how they would like to work. They are keen to reinforce that they are working as a group and not as individuals and have therefore nominated a small number of their members to act as spokespeople who will be available to speak to the media when the Council sits. Between meetings of the Council all media requests should be directed to Geoffrey Bowden at Nexus Structured Communications on 020 7439 7700.

2. Statistics on make up of council

Population statistics from the ONS (Office for National Statistics).

3. The Councillors.

The list of councillors follows. A group photograph is attached in electronic format. It is also available from the NICE web site or by contacting either Geoffrey Bowden (020 7439 7700) or Louise Fish (020 7766 9143).

• John Baldwin, an electrician who lives in Widnes, Cheshire.
• Auriol Britton, presently an unemployed aspiring writer who lives in Bristol, Avon.
• Brian Brown, an electrical engineer, from Chester-le-Street, County Durham.
• Jennifer Brown, a clerical officer who lives in Derby, Derbyshire.
• Sylvia Brown, a retired local government officer who lives in London.
• Scott Chapman, a printer who lives in Corby, Northamptonshire.
• Tracey Christmas, an accountant who lives in Hull, East Yorkshire.
• Rod Crowshaw, a store assistant who lives in Castle Bromwich, West Midlands.
• Trevor Davison, a supervisor scaffolder, who lives in Lincoln, Lincolnshire.
• Marie Goorun, a dress-maker and part-time French tutor who lives in Gillingham, Dorset.
• Mark Handley, a project manager who lives in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey.
• Susan Jones, a retail clerk who lives in Cardiff, Glamorgan.
• Rashad Khan, an administrator who lives in Keighley, West Yorkshire.
• Deborah Lee, a part-time advertisement make-up artist and housewife who lives in Bournemouth, Dorset.
• Raymond Longstaffe, a former builder who lives in Brecon, Powys.
• John MacGlashan, Retired security officer, Liverpool, Merseyside.
• Melanie McClure, a mother of one who lives in Hebburn, Tyne and Wear.
• Susan McNeill, a secretary who lives in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.
• Anthony Messenger, an insurance broker who lives in Windsor, Berkshire.
• Sharon Morgan, a milliner who lives in Birmingham, West Midlands.
• Sunita Nanda, a local government officer, who lives in Middlesex.
• Bob Osborne, a retired former pilot who lives in Horsham, West Sussex.
• Paul Pendlebury, an assembly worker, who lives in Preston, Lancashire.
• Audrey Pestell, a retired head teacher, who lives in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire.
• Marie Raynor, a housewife, who lives in Sale, Greater Manchester.
• Ian Simons, a taxi driver, who lives in London.
• Colin Stewart, a self-employed IT systems advisor who lives in London.
• Fiona Taylor, a wine marketing assistant, who lives in Sidbury, Devon.
• Peter Thomas, a teacher, who lives in Rhondda, Cynon Taff.
• Judith Ward, a wood turner, who lives near Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire.

4. Process for selection of councillors

• The recruitment of Council members was carried out at arm's length from NICE by Vision 21 - an independent specialist company. Vision 21 identified people on the basis of the likelihood that they will be able to make a contribution, rather than on their track record of being involved in similar bodies. Council members were chosen from around 4,400 individuals who responded to advertisements and widespread publicity.
• Because groups such as NHS employees, suppliers to the NHS, and patient groups already have a strong voice in making their opinions known in the decisions NICE makes, we have declined applications from anyone in these groups. In addition we have declined applications from those who work in lobbying organisations. We are anxious to give a voice to people who normally find it difficult to have their opinions heard

5. Further detail on the Council and its work.

• The Citizens Council will help NICE find out what members of the public think about key issues informing the development of the guidance NICE issues on the treatments and care that people can expect in the NHS.
• As a sub-committee of the NICE Board, the Council will consider key value questions and make a report to NICE. NICE will use this report to inform its work, and the work of the independent groups and experts who develop NICE guidelines and appraisals for the NHS.
• The Council will meet twice a year and each meeting will last up to 3 days. Councillors will be paid £150 per day when on Council business, and their travelling and accommodation expenses will be taken care of. Where special facilities need to be provided, such as a crèche or a signer, NICE will pay. Council appointments will be for up to 3 years only. Some people will serve for a year, some for 2 years and some for 3 years.
• An independent organisation, Vision 21, will run the meetings and produce reports summarising the Council 's views which will be sent to NICE. Expert witnesses will give evidence on the issues under consideration and Council members will be able to ask them questions. There are likely to be sessions where Council members are asked to form smaller groups and consider particular topics - with the support of Vision 21 staff.
• The Open University and College of Health have been appointed to independently evaluate the work of the Citizens Council for the first two years following its inauguration. Their research will provide information for NICE on how to maximise value from the Citizens Council.