Proposals to update local accountability have been put forward as part of a consultation launched today on regulations governing local authority health scrutiny.

The changes proposed in this consultation will update the arrangements and regulations for local authority health scrutiny and help to ensure that the interests of patients and the public are at the heart of the planning, delivery and reconfiguration of health services.

NHS commissioners, as leaders of the new commissioning system, will wish to make themselves aware of the consultation proposals, and how health scrutiny will affect them in the future.

The consultation runs from 12^th July until 7^th September 2012.

The consultation document can be downloaded from the Department of Health website.

Responses to the consultation can be submitted by email to scrutiny.consultation@dh.gsi.gov.uk or online.