HC Deb 04 November 2002 vol 392 cc133-4W
Mr Randall

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff that are currently employed by English CHCs are likely not to be employed by the new Patient Forums; and what redundancy schemes have been put in place for those staff. [77973]

Mr. Lammy

Recruitment of staff for patients' forums will be through open competition and will be organised by the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health. It is therefore not possible, nor would it be appropriate, to predict who will secure positions and who will not.

The Department is working with the trade unions on the arrangements for Community Health Council (CHC) staff in the run up to the abolition of CHCs.