What are evidence hearings?
As part of their engagement and consultation strategy, the HIV Commission participated in evidence hearings around the country to inform its thinking. This will help inform commissioners on the development of evidence-based recommendations.
Hearings were a series of regional town hall sessions where members of the HIV Commission met with organisations and communities to get deeper understanding on topics impacting local areas.
Where and when did these sessions take place?
Evidence hearings were a series of five events across different areas of the country to serve as a platform for commissioners to directly engage with local communities. They were in London, Brighton, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol.
Please be aware that notes on the hearings contained in the table below are a top line summary of the hearings. This is to preserve the confidentiality of discussions and information shared.
| Location and Date | Local partners | Notes |
| Manchester 13 February 2020 | BHA for Equality, George House Trust, LGBT Foundation | Hearing Notes |
| London 18 February 2020 | HIV Prevention England conference | Hearing Notes |
| Birmingham 21 February 2020 | City of Birmingham, Heartlands Patients Forum | Hearing Notes |
| Brighton and Hove 6 March 2020 | City of Brighton-Hove, Fast Track Cities Brighton-Hove, Lunch Positive | Hearing Notes |
| Bristol 9 March 2020 | Fast Track Cities Bristol, City of Bristol, THT, Brigstowe | Hearing Notes |
| London 13 March 2020 | London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Positive East, Prepster, The Food Chain, Barts Health NHS Trust. | The HIV Commission visit to Tower Hamlets was unfortunately cancelled due to a need to focus on preparations for COVID-19. |
Please be aware that notes on the hearings contained in the table above are only a summary of the discussions that took place at evidence hearings. This is to preserve the confidentiality of conversations and information shared with Commissioners.
What was the format for each session?
In order to acknowledge local expertise, the commission worked with local partners to advise on how to best engage with their local populations.
For the sessions to be successful, some local variations will be needed in order to address local needs. However, all hearings included the following:
- Public town hall session open to all local communities.
- Presentations from local stakeholders on key regional successes and challenges.
- Small group discussions between commissioners and town hall attendees.
Each session was be attended in person by members of the HIV Commission. Each local partner suggested additions to their events in order to best engage with their populations. Example of those variations included visit to local organisations, closed meetings with people living with HIV, additional presentations beyond those requested by commissioners, and others.