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August 7th 2000

 

PATIENTS' WATCHDOG RESPONSE TO

NHS NATIONAL PLAN

Responding to proposals to abolish Community Health Councils, Director of the Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales, (ACHCEW) Donna Covey said:

‘The announcement came as a shock to us, particularly as we had received repeated assurances that the government saw Community Health Councils (CHCs) as fulfilling a key role in the future NHS.

‘Community Health Councils have been an effective champion of the patients’ interests for over 25 years. In the light of the Shipman enquiry and the Rodney Ledward case, we would have expected their positioned to be strengthened; instead they are to be abolished.

‘Our current concern, which is shared by a wide section of the health community, is that the structures outlined as replacement bodies in the National plan will not be as independent as CHCs, will not have the same powers as CHCs, and will ultimately not be as effective as CHCs.’

ENDS

For further information contact: Murray Benham on 020 7609 8138, or email: murray.benham@achcew.org.uk

 

Notes to Editors

• The ‘shock’ announcement that CHCs were to be abolished was made on the 27^th July as part of the National Plan.
• CHCs were established in 1974 as patient advocates within the NHS. Over the past 26 years they have been at the forefront of ensuring that the patients' voice is heard and their complaints listened to. Most recently, they played a pivotal role in ensuring that Rodney Ledward was exposed, and that the victims of Harold Shipman were supported.
• There are 700 staff in Community Health Councils across the country all of whom face an uncertain future. CHCs also have over 5,000 volunteer members who contribute freely of their time to act as unpaid watchdogs for NHS patients.
• There are 204 CHCs in England and Wales. Similar bodies exist in Scotland (Local Health Councils) & Northern Ireland (Health and Social Services Councils).
• Each year CHCs assist around 30,000 people with complaints.
• A recent report, 'Hidden Volunteers', conducted by Community Service Volunteers (CSV) estimated that CHC members contribute over £7.9million worth of free labour to the NHS.