This is where a citizens jury of 12, composed of a random selection of ordinary people, would be a more relevant and appropriate body than a court of law. After all, these are services that ‘we the people’ will use and both health professionals and senior local government officers are ultimately answerable to us.

Citizens juries and panels would also be the first step towards democratising public services and would help inform the wider public about complex issues to do with procurement and outsourcing, how and why it works – or doesnt work!