§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures will be put in place to ensure that patient forums will represent the diversity of the local population. [155908]
§ Ms StuartSubject to legislation, the members of a forum will be drawn equally from the trust's patients and local voluntary organisations. The independent National Health Service Appointments Commission will appoint the members of a forum according to selection criteria that will ensure membership reflects the nature of the local community which the forum serves.