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July 2nd 2002

For immediate release

The final conference of the Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales (ACHCEW) will this year play host to some of the key figures of the UK's health community. Conference contributors include: Health Minister David Lammy, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Evan Harris, Opposition Spokesperson for Health in the House of Lords Earl Howe, and Professor Nick Bosanquet. The conference will also feature a series of workshops and seminars aimed at exploring and examining the new system.

Peter Walsh, ACHCEW Director commented:

"This conference is all about looking forward. Thanks to the campaigning work carried out by CHCs and their supporters, we now have the basis for a decent system of patient and public involvement. The big challenge now is to make it work and to ensure that the legacy of CHCs is carried forward. That will be the focus of this year's conference."

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Journalists wishing to attend the conference, which will be held at the Bournemouth International Centre, should notify ACHCEW by Thursday 11^th July.

For further information please contact: Murray Benham on - 020 7609 8138 email: murray.benham@achcew.org.ukwebsite: www.achcew.org.uk

Notes to Editors

• CHCs were established in 1974 as patient advocates within the NHS. Over the past 28 they have been at the forefront of ensuring that the patients' voice is heard and their complaints listened to. They are currently being abolished and replaced by a new system of patient and public involvement.