§ 8. Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, following his decision to establish one district health authority for Leicestershire, he will make a statement on the future arrangements for community health councils within the county.
§ Dr. VaughanIn circular HC(80)8 we said that there should be one community health council for each new district health authority. Only in the most exceptional circumstances would we be willing to vary this approach. We are at present considering whether the position in Leicestershire is so exceptional as to justify more than one community health council.
§ Mr. LathamIs my hon. Friend aware that for thousands of my constituents in and around Melton Mowbray it makes little difference whether there is one CHC based in Leicester or, as now, three CHCs all based in Leicester, and that what is needed is greater identification by those bodies with the rural areas?
§ Dr. VaughanAs a result of restructuring, we expect that the health authorities will be in closer contact with each of the communities. The whole point of that restructuring is that we should have as viable and local a Health Service as possible.