§ Mr. John TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Government 's proposals for the future of community health councils and the prospects of the people who serve them. [123424]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonI refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made by my hon. Friend, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Mr. Lammy) on Wednesday 4 June,Official Report, columns 22–23WS. The Department of Health continues to work with trades unions to provide support to community health council staff to find alternative employment in the National Health Service. The Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health, through the Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales, has invited community health council members to express an interest in serving on the new patients' forums.