Clause 16 - Entry and Inspection of Premises
NHS Reform & Health Care Professions Bill
2:30 pm
Ms Hazel Blears (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (public health), Department of Health; Salford, Labour)
The Welsh are still reviewing the roles of community health councils. They have decided to keep CHCs but are looking at extensive reform of their powers and duties so that they reflect the new make-up of the national health service. As far as I am aware, they have not yet resolved many of those issues, but it will be important to ensure that the system has no gaps where rights of entry are not provided. I understand that the functions of the CHCs, and the way in which they perform in Wales, will be included in the forthcoming NHS (Wales) Bill. I take the point that the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald) made about Wales.