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Parliamentary Activity
When the all party group on CHCs was launched in February 1999 it attracted over 200 founder members. The terms of reference for the group are:
To provide a forum for members of both Houses of Parliament to debate the work and future activities of CHCs in England and Wales, Health Councils in Scotland and Health and Social Services Councils (HSSCs) in Northern Ireland
To develop stronger links between parliamentarians and CHCs, Health Councils and HSSCs
To promote the role played by CHCs, Health Councils and HSSCs
The officers of the group are:
| Chair | Patrick Hall MP | |
| (Bedford and Kempston, Labour) | ||
| Vice-Chairs | Peter Bottomley MP | |
| (Worthing West, Conservative) | ||
| Bob Russell MP | ||
| (Colchester, Liberal Democrat) | ||
| Debra Shipley MP | ||
| (Stourbridge, Labour) | ||
| Rev Martin Smyth | ||
| (Belfast South, Ulster Unionist) | ||
| Secretary | Hazel Blears MP | |
| (Salford, Labour) | ||
| Treasurer Rosie Winterton MP | ||
| (Doncaster Central, Labour) | ||
In April 1999 over 100 MPs signed an Early Day Motion congratulating CHCs on their 25th anniversary.
National Plan
In October Gisela Stuart, Under Secretary of State for the Department of Health, attended a meeting of the group to discuss the NHS Plan and the future of CHCs. Such was the level of concern about the proposed abolition of CHCs in England that nearly 60 MPs attended the meeting. Officers of the group have decided to pursue the key issues raised at the meeting with the Minister.
An Early Day Motion (1103) - The Future of Community Health Councils – tabled by the Chair of the group, has attracted a considerable level of support. The EDM "calls for the Government to engage in a robust national debate and consultation on how to deliver effective patient empowerment by adding to the best of Community Health Councils…"
The proposed abolition of CHCs has also attracted the attention of the House of Lords. On 26th October Lord Harris of Haringey instigated a debate about the new arrangements for empowering NHS users and asked whether they would be independent and perceived to be so. It was obvious from the debate that there was much support for the work of CHCs. Most of the Peers who contributed to the debate, recognised that CHCs need to be developed and enhanced, and questioned whether their abolition would benefit the public.
Health Select Committee
The abolition of CHCs has been raised by the Health Select Committee with both Department of Health officials and the Secretary of State for Health. Eileen Gordon Labour MP for Romford described the abolition of CHCs without consultation as ‘particularly cruel’.
Wales
Although CHCs in England and Wales were set up under the same legislation, in Wales they do not plan to abolish CHCs. The Welsh Assembly has decided to consult widely on the issue of patient advocacy and support including the future remit of CHCs.
For further updates see the National Plan directory