Patients in Wales to get stronger voice in wake of Francis Inquiry

Patients at care homes and being cared for at home in Wales are to get a stronger voice, following a review into the role and function of Community Health Councils.

Community Health Councils (CHCs) are the independent voice for patients and it is the duty of each CHC in Wales to scrutinise the health service in its district.

The review, which was commissioned last year, was carried out by the Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care on behalf of the Welsh Government.

It found more could be done to ensure CHCs work in an efficient and effective manner while making the best use of the resources available to them.

As a result of the review the Welsh Government, which provides funding of almost £4m to CHCs every year, has set out a variety of actions to help strengthen the role of the bodies and therefore improve the voice of patients.

Health Minister Mark Drakeford said: “One of the underlying themes emerging from the Francis Inquiry is making the voice of the patient heard in our health services.

“A major advantage we have in Wales is we still have CHCs. Wales is unique in the UK in that respect. My focus now is to make sure CHCs are working in a way which is sustainable and serves the people of Wales as soon as possible.

“The Welsh Government has set out a range of actions to strengthen the role of CHCs, to provide a consistent level of service across Wales and to ensure they are representative of communities.

He added: “I would like to thank members and staff of CHCs for their continuing work on the reconfiguration of health services. I know this is not always easy but their work is recognised, valued and necessary to help put in place the safe and sustainable services we need.”

The recent Francis Inquiry into Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust found there had been appalling neglect of patients at Stafford Hospital between 2005 and 2009.