HC Deb 24 November 1981 vol 13 cc736-7
2. Mr. Joseph Dean

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will ensure that community health councils in England and Wales are provided with an opportunity for adequate consultation with his Department and with regional and district health authorities, in those cases where policies or other factors affecting the availability of a comprehensive health service in their districts are at issue.

24. Mr. Cunliffe

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the role he believes community health councils should play in relation to queries or complaints about the National Health Service; and whether he has any plans to enlarge this role in the future.

The Minister for Health (Dr. Gerard Vaughan)

The community health councils represent the public interest in the National Health Service locally, and not regionally or nationally. Therefore, community health councils will be linked with the new, more local district health authorities in future. We have no plans to alter their role on complaints.

Mr. Dean

I thank the Minister for his reply. When he reconstitutes the community health councils, I hope that he will hold the fullest consultations. Has the Minister yet called for any nominations? Will he give an undertaking that a substantial percentage of the places on the community health councils will he made available to local authority representatives?

Dr. Vaughan

We have had extensive consultations, and a circular will be issued to community health councils soon which will set out more clearly their role and membership. I shall place a copy of the circular in the Vote Office so that hon. Members may see it.

Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

As community health councils represent consumers in the National Health Service, is my hon. Friend satisfied that the Department is giving them sufficient publicity to enable those using the NHS to recognise them for what they are?

Dr. Vaughan

I understand my hon. Friend's question. Community health councils have a valuable role, but it is a local role. It is for the local health authority and the local community health council to make their presence known.

Mrs. Dunwoody

If that is so, why has the Minister suggested that he will send out a circular defining the role of community health councils? Community health councils help people who have problems with the NHS and represent them when they need assistance. Why does the Minister suggest that some redefinition is needed? Community health councils need more support for the role that they play.

Mr. Speaker

Order. Hon. Members have repeatedly made statements instead of asking questions.

Dr. Vaughan

When we reorganised the National Health Service and removed the area health authority layer there was some doubt about the future of the community health councils. Therefore, we consulted and thought it advisable to issue a circular on our views on the consultations and the future role of the community health councils.