HC Deb 08 September 2003 vol 410 cc174-6W
Tom Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with staff working at Community Health Councils on the closure of such health councils. [127167]

Ms Rosie Winterton

The closure of Community Health Councils (CHCs) was first announced in the NHS Plan in July 2000. Since then, this subject has formed part of the discussions Ministers have had with CHC staff and members as part of various visits around the country and there have been meetings with Stakeholder groups, including the Association of Community Health Council in England and Wales and trades unions. Officials in the Department of Health have had similar meetings and local employers and CHC leads have held open meetings to discuss the closure with staff and members.

Tom Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when Community Health Councils will be closed in England. [127168]

Ms Rosie Winterton

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made by my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on 4 June 2003,Official Report, columns 22–23WS. It is still our intention to abolish Community Health Councils on 1 December 2003.

Tom Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions have taken place on the redundancy payments staff will receive when community health councils are closed. [127169]

Ms Rosie Winterton

I met with trade unions representing Community Health Council (CHC) staff on 16 July to discuss staffing issues and also received feedback from a meeting held recently with key stakeholders, including CHC staff, members of the Association of Community Health Councils of England and Wales, the Council for Patient and Public Involvement in Health and the trades unions.

Officials have worked with the trade unions and a revised human resources framework for CHC staff was issued on 25 July. This document, which was jointly with Unison and Amicus-MSF, covers not only the issue of redundancy but also the support and advice that is available to CHC staff to help them secure alternative posts within the National Health Service. It is hoped that this will address some of the concerns and anxieties raised.

Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to keep Community Health Councils operational after 1 December 2003. [127429]

Ms Rosie Winterton

It is still our intention to abolish Community Health Councils on 1 December 2003.

Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Community Health Councils have had to leave their previous premises because of the decision to keep CHCs operational until December. [127430]

Ms Rosie Winterton

To date, no Community Health Councils (CHCs) have had to leave their premises specifically because of the decision to keep CHCs operational until 1 December. However, it is estimated that about 56 CHCs will need to leave their current premises before the abolition date for reasons including the cost of extending the lease arrangements where previous notice had been given. Decisions will be based on local circumstances and suitable alternative arrangements will be discussed with local CHC staff and members.

Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many letters his Department has received opposing the abolition of community health councils; and if he will make a statement. [127460]

Ms Rosie Winterton

Since the abolition of community health councils was first announced in the NHS plan in July 2000 the Department has received many letters commenting on this issue. However, owing to the volume of correspondence which the Department receives and the way in which that correspondence is filed, the information cold be provided only at disproportionate cost.