Written question asked by Bob Laxton (Labour) on Wednesday, 13 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 December 2000. It was answered by Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 December 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the consultation period on the future of Community Health Councils (a) commenced and (b) will end.

Answer: Mr. Laxton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the consultation period on the future of community health councils (a) commenced and (b) will end. [143130] Ms Stuart: Chapter 10 of the NHS plan proposed that community health councils be abolished and new structures set in place to increase patient and citizen empowerment across all sectors of the health service. Following the launch of the NHS plan in July a public undertaking was given to involve national and local stakeholder groups in developing the detail of the new structures. A series of seminars through November and December have been held. These seminars focused on the various elements of the new arrangements and involved key representative groups. A clear statement of the outcome of the exercise will be given in the new year.

Secondary information