Tomorrow, Denise Wyatt, I and other campaigners and members of the public, will be attending the Extraordinary Council of Governors meeting at Tatchbury Mount, Calmore.
We will be asking questions of the Council of Governors, in addition to those I have already put in writing.
Earlier this evening, I received the following positive developments from the Company Secretary:
1. Although I was initially told that the Chair would not allow recording, following my and other campaigners' further robust challenge, there has been a change, and I quote:
"With regards your query regarding recording of the meeting, I have discussed this with the Chair. He is content to put the question of recording of the Council of Governors’ meeting to a vote of the Council at the start of the meeting and for him to be bound by the view of the Governors. With respect to public sessions of the Board, on reflection, it is the Chair’s view that it would be inappropriate for an NHS Foundation Trust to be acting in a different manner than expected from other public bodies and therefore audio recording of these meetings will be allowed, subject to appropriate safeguarding controls."
This is a very welcome development, and I hope the Governors agree with my suggestion, in the interests of openness and transparency.
2. An anonymised list of questions will be asked of the Council of Governors. I understand that there are several, and these are still being processed. I am pleased that people are wanting to put these questions. Answers are urgently needed.
I have thanked the Company Secretary and Chair for their further consideration, and look forward to hearing their responses tomorrow.
I very much hope that this is the start of further developments for Justice for LB and other campaigners for reform at Southern Health, and across the National Health Service.
Andrew