§ Lord Clement-Jonesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What measures they will take in order to ensure that the good will, skills and experience of existing Community Health Council staff are retained to help run the new system of patient and public involvement. [HL6152]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings Heath:There will be no automatic transfers into the commission either for Community Health Council or Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales staff. The commission is independent and fundamentally different from CHCs. However the Department of Health has recently agreed with Sharon Grant, chair designate, that jobs in the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health will be advertised through CHC staff clearing houses as well as in the national and local press. CHC staff applying for a post within the commission who meet the specific job criteria would be guaranteed an interview.