§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to enable members of town and community councils to be represented on community health councils as of right. [9546]
§ Mr. RichardsCurrent legislation does not provide for town and community councils to be represented on community health councils as of right.
Primary legislation allows for at least one half of a community health council's membership to be made up of local authority nominees: these nominees can be drawn from any organisation, including town and community councils.
§ Mr. JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many community and town councillors sit on community health councils in Wales. [9547]
§ Mr. RichardsThis information is not held currently.
§ Mr. JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the community health councils in Wales. [9548]
§ Mr. RichardsThis information can be found in the 1995 health services year book prepared by the Institute of Health Services Management. A copy is in the Library.
§ Mr. JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy in respect of consultation on community health council matters where town and community councils are concerned. [9549]
§ Mr. RichardsThere is no central policy for consulting on community health council matters directly with town and community councils. It is for the representative local authority to consult locally with its constituent councils on CHC matters.
§ Mr. JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the prospects for community health councils with respect to the impending changes in health authority organisation. [9550]
§ Mr. RichardsAn important function of the new health authorities will be to act as the major local NHS presence, keeping in touch and working with local people and organisations to develop local services at a pace and in ways that local people will accept. As one of the most effective local representatives of the patient interest, CHCs fulfil the vital role of ensuring that the new commissioners are made fully aware of the need to make services more responsive to local needs and patient views.
A copy of briefing paper No. 4, "A Fresh Start for Community Health Councils", drafted by an NHS Wales working group will be placed in the Library. This offers a more detailed assessment of how the role of CHCs may need to develop over the coming years.