MSLC Membership and Structure
The following Department of Health-endorsed policy documents provide a framework for MSLCs, including encouraging the active involvement of users. Every MSLC should be familiar with their content, and there are useful toolkits and templates to stimulate discussion and planning within MSLCs. Content from the other UK countries will follow.
National guidelines for maternity services liaison committees (MSLCs)
Whilst it is for local areas to establish MSLCs or equivalent committees to monitor and plan maternity services locally, the Department of Health published guidelines for the establishment and function of MSLCs in February 2007. The document is designed as a toolkit, with checklists, points for discussion, model terms of reference and membership suggestions. Click here to download.
Reward and recognition: The principles and practice of service user payment and reimbursement in health and social care - August 2006 (second edition)
This guide aims to support local health and social care organisations with the principles and practice of reimbursing and paying service users (public/patients) for their involvement. It aims to provide some consistency of approach and ensure that service users are treated fairly and appropriately according to their circumstances, so that they are able to make an informed choice about the arrangements concerning their involvement. Click here to download.
Strengthening Accountability: Involving Patients and the Public
This document, published in 2003, provides detailed policy and practice guidance on the implementation of Section 11 of the Health and Social Care Act.
According to the policy guidance 'the overall aim of Section 11 is to make sure patients and the public are involved and consulted from the very beginning of any process to develop health services or change how they operate. This will lead to patient-centred care and improvements in the patients' experience.' The practice guidance includes information on baseline assessments, planning and strategy development, working in partnership, managing consultations, involving staff, involving groups that are traditionally hard to reach, methods and approaches, and the new patient and public involvement systems. Click here to download.
Real Involvement - Working with people to improve health services
Published in October 2008, this document provides guidance for NHS
organisations on their legal duty to involve people under Section 242(1b)
of the NHS Act 2006. It provides advice on good practice in embedding
involvement in organisations and can be an important tool for MSLCs where
there may be inadequate engagement of a lack of new people coming forward.
This document theoretically replaces "Strengthening Accountability" ,
but the original document is still useful for tools and ideas. Click here
Modernising Maternity Care - A Commissioning Toolkit for England Aug 2006
Developed jointly by the NCT, RCM and RCOG, and published by DH, this second-edition document provides information, resources checklists and examples to assist PCTs and MSLCs in agreeing commissioning criteria and Service Level Agreements for maternity services. Click here to download