§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will introduce legislation to ensure that community health councils are invited to take up observer status on the board of new providers of ambulance services not normally within their competence; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaloneThe Government do not believe that it is necessary to extend the statutory powers of community health councils in this way.
EL(94)4, copies of which are available in the Library, makes it clear that all trusts should agree arrangements for liaison and access with community health councils. This applies equally to ambulance service trusts. Where community health councils are not invited to board meetings, trusts should offer alternative regular liaison opportunities.