§ 31. Mr. Woolmerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consult the Leeds community health council in order to ensure continuity of community health council attention to the development of health services in each district during the period of reorganisation.
§ Dr. VaughanI have no plans for consulting community health councils on matters which are in my opinion better handled locally.
§ 46. Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has made any provision to appoint trade union members to the reconstituted community health councils after April 1982.
§ Dr. VaughanI must ask the hon. Member to await the forthcoming circular.
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§ 47. Mr. Lofthouseasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to publish the document outlining the future role of community health councils.
§ Dr. VaughanWe intend to issue a circular shortly.
§ Mr. Joseph Deanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has received any representations about a continuing role for community health councils in the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. Vaughan; We received almost 5,000 replies about the need for community health councils in response to "Patients First", most of them in favour of retaining them. As announced to the House over a year ago, and confirmed during the recent debate on the NHS on 6 November, community health councils are to be retained. There will be a further statement shortly, and also a circular on aspects of their role and membership, and the way in which appointments to them are made. Copies will be placed in the Vote Office.