Coat rack

The morning consisted of back to back phone calls and meetings, one of which was about gathering evidence and promoting improvement in the hearings system.

Lots of interesting discussion and one or two promising ideas about improving the system - but finding the resource/ capacity to progress and sustain these remains a key challenge.

Then, with our operational manager, Christine, we drove to Greenock for an evening meeting of the panel members in Inverclyde with their AST. Lots of questions and some stimulating debate about training; whether we are reaching wider sections of the community in our recruitment; and whether we should require chairing by all trained panel members.

The event was held in the mid-19th century Greenock Town Hall. It has recently been refurbished and looked very grand - apart from the coat rack in the background,