§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he intends to publish the regulations under the Social Security Act 1984 relating to formal links between family practitioner committees and community health councils; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe intend to publish new Community Health Council Regulations during March to provide for the formal link between community health councils (CHCs) and the new family practitioner committees (FPCs) with effect from 1 April 1985.
The regulations will be made under the National Health Service Act 1977 as amended by the Health and Social Security Act 1984 and will introduce a duty on:
- i. CHCs to advise FPCs on appropriate matters relating to the operation of the Health Service;
- ii. FPCs to consult CHCs on proposals for substantial developments of, or variations in, services;
- iii. FPCs to provide CHCs with such information about the planning and operation of services as CHCs reasonably require to carry out their duties; and
- iv. an FPC to provide a separate response to those parts of a CHC's annual report that concern the FPC.
The regulations will also update and consolidate extant CHC Regulations and introduce a provision to dismiss a CHC member for misconduct.