Mr. Odhr?n Allen:

It would be wrong to say we are not consulted but we do not know where AON is at. We have not been invited to a meeting with the HSE, nor have other professional bodies. I am assuming with regard to PSI and AISLT, we have not been invited to a meeting to be asked for our thoughts on AON or our views on how things should be going forward. There is a level of consultation with some practitioners but they are not necessarily members of the professional bodies. We think there should be consultation with the professional bodies on how PDS is being rolled out, how AON will be approached and wider issues. It is a basic thing to ask to be consulted on the design, delivery and review of health services and that representative bodies for the people delivering those services be consulted. We do not think it is a big ask. It reflects what it is wrong in the system that we are not routinely invited into the room and listened to. We do not mean these perfunctory tick-box “Oh yes we met with them” engagements. We have had plenty of those. They are not very satisfactory for either party.