Written question asked by John McDonnell (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, what representations he has received on his proposals to abolish Community Health Councils.

Answer: Mr. McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on his proposals to abolish community health councils. [143386] Ms Stuart: Chapter 10 of the NHS plan proposed that community health councils be abolished and that new structures set in place to increase patient and citizen empowerment across all sectors of the health service. A number of representations have been received about the future of CHCs and the new structures. A series of national and regional seminars focusing on the various elements of the new arrangements and involving key national and local representative groups have been held in November and December. A clear statement of the outcome of the exercise will be given early in the new year.

Secondary information