§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to require the exclusion of community health service observers from district health authority or family health service authority meetings to be permitted only in exceptional circumstances and on the submission of explicit reasons.
§ Mr. DorrellCommunity health council (CHC) observers have the right to attend district health authority and family health services authority meetings that are open to the public. It remains for the authority concerned to decide to which of its meetings that are closed to the general public a CHC observer may be invited to attend.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to enhance the position of community health councils in respect of(a) rights of audience at district health authority or family health services authority meetings, (b) involvement in joint planning of health and care services and (c) access to information.
§ Mr. DorrellThere is no need to enhance the position of community health councils (CHCs).
It remains a matter for decision by the relevant authority whether a CHC representative should be invited to speak at its meetings. Responsibility for joint planning of health and care services rests with the relevant authorities. However, NHS authorities should consult CHCs when formulating strategies for health are so that their views can be taken into account at an early stage of the decision making process.
313WCHCs are entitled to receive such information from their respective NHS authorities as they may reasonably require in order to carry out their duties.