HC Deb 14 February 2003 vol 400 cc43-4W
Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the new patient forums to be established in all areas. [96722]

Mr. Lammy

The Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health is responsible for recruiting members, appointing staff and putting in place the infrastructure for patients' forums. This process will be well under way by the time Community Health Councils are abolished in September.

The Commission will be working towards the achievement of full coverage of forums by the end of the year.

Dr. Richard Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements he has made to cover the period between the abolition of community health councils and the formation of primary care trust patient forums. [96776]

Mr. Lammy

The Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health has said that it will be working towards achieving full coverage of patients' forums by the end of the year. Arrangements will be in place to ensure there is continuous support for patients through the transition.

The new system for patient and public involvement goes beyond patients' forums. For example, independent complaints advocacy support for patients wanting to complain against the national health service will be available, patient advice and liaison services in trusts and primary care trusts routinely feed up patients views to trust boards, overview and scrutiny committees (OSCs) have to be consulted where substantial variation and developments are planned and individuals or patient groups can approach their OSC directly where they have concerns.

In addition, the Commission will set up a national telephone help-line, which will help people access local support arrangements.