HC Deb 25 November 1996 vol 286 c128W
Mr. Austin-Walker

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to reduce the role of community health councils in monitoring local health services; and if he will make a statement; [5978]

  1. (2) if he will make it his policy that major changes in the role and function of community health councils will not be made without the full support of community health councils; [5982]
  2. (3) what assessment he has made of the advantages of community health councils being located in accessible shop-front high street premises; and what plans he has to change the present arrangements; [5980]
  3. (4)what plans he has to remove the accommodation standard for community health councils; and if he will make a statement; [5979]
  4. (5) what plans he has to reduce the role of community health councils in supporting complainants; and if he will make a statement. [5981]

Mr. Horam

There are no plans to alter the role of community health councils. They will, of course, be consulted about any suggestions made.

As independent, statutory bodies it is for individual CHCs to decide, on the basis of local circumstances, how they exercise their statutory functions in representing the interests, in the health service, of their local population.

CHCs need to have a visible public profile and we have no plans to change the current accommodation standards guidance, including the desirability of progress towards locating them in shop-front premises.