of services that may already be available within the community, unbeknownst to the local authority or local health board. HIA enables matters’ as ‘what opposed to just works’ to enter what can sometimes be a dry and ‘what meaningless discourse on the likely impact of proposals, with the involvement of members of the public emphasising what is important to them and contributing to solutions that will benefit all affected groups. Members of the public welcomed the opportunity to participate in the HIAs and felt that their personal experience added to the process, although it must be recognised that the primary four HIAs being considered here (excluding the community initiated HIA) were based on relatively uncontroversial issues. Relationship building One of the key features of the HIA participatory workshop is that it brings together representatives from different communities, groups, organisations and sectors. Respondents reported that the HIA process enabled them to network and make contact with people who they wouldn’t necessarily have encountered if they hadn’t been involved in the HIA. Some of the HIA case studies included in the research involved members of the public from geographically separate communities but that were in close proximity to one another. I felt I had people I relate to, even if their circumstances were slightly different, it’s still nice to have that opportunity and through HIA I got involved with that group. You feel you have someone to talk to and share thoughts with so you don’t feel so alone. Member of the public (Case 5) The HIA drew me to those people more then, I got to know them. I already knew (some of them), but most of them I didn’t know, people from the other village. Member of the public (Case 5) This enabled people who may have felt isolated to interact and communicate with others sharing an interest in the HIA topic in question providing the opportunity to build alliances and relationships, which in some cases have continued after the HIA had been completed. The development of these relationships can lead to an increase in self-efficacy and as a result fostered the growth of social capital in the area due to the development of meaningful networks and joining together for a common purpose. Further to this it was felt that through involvement in the HIA the relationship between the statutory sector and the community had been strengthened and communication improved: You have to listen to peoples reasoned arguments, and you can better understand the constraints that they are facing. You can develop a rapport.” Member of the public (Case 4)
of services that may already be available within the community, unbeknownst to the local authority or local health board. HIA enables ‘what matters’ as opposed to just ‘what works’ to enter what can sometimes be a dry and meaningless discourse on the likely impact of proposals, with the involvement of members of the public emphasising what is important to them and contributing to solutions that will benefit all affected groups. Members of the public welcomed the opportunity to participate in the HIAs and felt that their personal experience added to the process, although it must be recognised that the primary four HIAs being considered here (excluding the community initiated HIA) were based on relatively uncontroversial issues. Relationship building One of the key features of the HIA participatory workshop is that it brings together representatives from different communities, groups, organisations and sectors. Respondents reported that the HIA process enabled them to network and make contact with people who they wouldn’t necessarily have encountered if they hadn’t been involved in the HIA. Some of the HIA case studies included in the research involved members of the public from geographically separate communities but that were in close proximity to one another. I felt I had people I relate to, even if their circumstances were slightly different, it’s still nice to have that opportunity and through HIA I got involved with that group. You feel you have someone to talk to and share thoughts with so you don’t feel so alone. Member of the public (Case 5) The HIA drew me to those people more then, I got to know them. I already knew (some of them), but most of them I didn’t know, people from the other village. Member of the public (Case 5) This enabled people who may have felt isolated to interact and communicate with others sharing an interest in the HIA topic in question providing the opportunity to build alliances and relationships, which in some cases have continued after the HIA had been completed. The development of these relationships can lead to an increase in self-efficacy and as a result fostered the growth of social capital in the area due to the development of meaningful networks and joining together for a common purpose. Further to this it was felt that through involvement in the HIA the relationship between the statutory sector and the community had been strengthened and communication improved: You have to listen to peoples reasoned arguments, and you can better understand the constraints that they are facing. You can develop a rapport.” Member of the public (Case 4)
Involving_the_Public_in_HIA_Final_Report.docx