HC Deb 04 November 2002 vol 392 cc134-5W
Mr. Randall

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff were employed in English CHCs in each of the last three years; and what the projected number is of staff to be employed by the Patients Forum when they commence. [77969]

Mr. Lammy

Community Health Council (CHC) staff in England are employed by seven strategic health authorities and are National Health Service employees. The figures requested are therefore not held centrally. There are currently approximately 700 staff in the 184 CHCs in England.

The chair designate of the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health CPPIH) and her interim team, along with the Department, are still considering potential structures for the organisation of and staffing levels for patients' forums.