§ Mr. LaxtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the change in the funding of community health councils from 1997 to 2000. [143128]
§ Ms StuartThe information requested is as follows:
£ million 1997–98 21.659 1998–99 22.55 1999–2000 22.561 2000–01 23.324
§ Mr. LaxtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when the consultation period on the future of community health councils(a) commenced and (b) will end. [143130]
§ Ms StuartChapter 10 of the NHS plan proposed that community health councils be abolished and new structures set in place to increase patient and citizen empowerment across all sectors of the health service. Following the launch of the NHS plan in July a public undertaking was given to involve national and local stakeholder groups in developing the detail of the new structures. A series of seminars through November and December have been held. These seminars focused on the various elements of the new arrangements and involved key representative groups. A clear statement of the outcome of the exercise will be given in the new year.
§ Mr. McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on his proposals to abolish community health councils. [143386]
§ Ms StuartChapter 10 of the NHS plan proposed that community health councils be abolished and that new structures set in place to increase patient and citizen empowerment across all sectors of the health service. A number of representations have been received about the future of CHCs and the new structures.
A series of national and regional seminars focusing on the various elements of the new arrangements and involving key national and local representative groups have been held in November and December. A clear statement of the outcome of the exercise will be given early in the new year.