§ 19. Ms. Janet AndersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to increase patient involvement in decisions on future patterns of health care.
§ Mr. SackvilleWe published a paper entitled "Local Voices" in January this year with practical guidance to82W health authorities about ways for involving local people in shaping health services and have written to health authority chairmen to reinforce the important role of community health councils in representing patients' interests. The patients' charter, which sets out clearly people's rights under the National Health Service, reinforces the onus on health authorities to be responsive to patient's views.