Community Health Councils In Wales

Peter Johns
Director, Board Of Community Health Councils In Wales

Health Wales Act 2003:

• Power to the welsh assembly to establish or abolish CHCs
• Change in membership proportions
• Access to primary care
• Establishment of a statutory welsh board of CHCs

Regulations Under The Act

• Came into force in april 2004
• Maintain previous powers and rights
• Add rights of access to primary care, nursing homes and private hospitals
• Power to monitor ppi activity of local health boards and trusts
  

The Board

• Consists of reps of all 26 CHCs and 2 staff reps.
• Non-voting reps from WAG and Powys LHB as well as WCVA
• Board`s powers include financial allocation and control and performance management of CHCs
  

Progress To Date

• All Wales corporate identity
• Performance review of all CHCs now in place
• New job descriptions and re-evaluation of all jobs in 2004
• Fully funded complaints advocates available across Wales
• Hospital patient environment work with nhs wales for last three years
• Protocols for primary care work and nursing homes
• All-Wales standard visiting format for hospital visits
• Enhanced role within NHS Wales
• Evidence to assembly health committee
• Annual report to the minister
• Improvements in funding
• Collaboration with NHS confederation

Where Next?

• Bringing all CHCs up to the same standard
• Ensure that the NHSchanges in Wales reflect patients` needs
• Keep in touch with other parts of UK
• Increase public awareness of Community Health Councils
• Changes in way members are appointed?
• Redistribution of funding?
• National focus on patient issues
• Improve profile in media
• Keep doing it for patients!!
  

TEL NO: 0845 644 7814
FAX NO: 02920 235574
E-MAIL: peter.johns@waleschc.org.uk
WEB-SITE: www.patienthelp.wales.nhs.uk
Address: Board of CHCs in Wales,
Ground Floor, Park House,
Greyfriars Rd, Cardiff
CF10 3AF

last updated 27/05/06