1. REPRESENTING THE INTERESTS
OF PATIENTS AND THE PUBLIC IN
THE HEALTH SERVICE
Mr Alan Brown
CHC Vice Chair

2. What are we?
Independent bodies established by parliament since 1974 following abuse at Ely Hospital Cardiff in the late 1960’s
To represent the interests of the public in the health service
This included the secondary care, primary care sectors, care homes and private hospitals taking NHS patients since 2004
Sir Keith Jospeh QC made 44 recommendations one of which to establish an independent lay inspectorate to help assure the public of the delivery of good care following the abuse identified at Ely Hospital

3. Who are we?
CHCs are the only statutory lay NHS Watchdog who are independent bodies in Wales
A Board of Community Health Councils in Wales
There are 7 CHCs in Wales co-terminus with the 7 Health Boards in Wales
Each CHC has Local Committees based on the Local Authority boundaries

4. CHC Membership Each CHC has 12 members per Local Authority area:
¼ (3) from local authority
¼ (3) from voluntary organisations
½ (6) appointed by the Minister for Health and Social Services in Wales via the public appointments process
Community Health Councils can also co-opt extra non-voting members for specific tasks as necessary

5. Our statutory responsibilities are
To provide:
a way for the public / patients to have your say about NHS services by systematic continuous engagement
free independent advice about local health services
provision of the complaints advocacy service – a free, independent and confidential service
to keep under review the health service within its area

6. What powers do we have?
We have the right to be consulted by the Health Boards on changes to health services
CHCs shall meet regularly on a formal basis with the Health Boards at least quarterly
Each CHC has the right to enter and inspect the premises of:
NHS providers
General Practices
Hospitals
Nursing / Residential Homes
Ambulance Services
We are entitled to received from the Health Boards the information needed to carry out our duties

7. Advocacy Service ? The advocacy service is based in each CHC area
The advocates can deal with concerns from any service which is funded by the NHS.
We have two advocates who are qualified to City & Guilds standard for advocacy.
Current caseload is approximately 159 live cases

8. We engage with the public
We hold regular CHC Local Committee, Executive
Committee and Full Council meetings some of which are open to the public
We engage with the public through formal and informal engagement and consultation
CHCs visit health premises providing NHS services and talk to patients
We arrange Healthwatch meetings and user surveys
CHCs work closely with the voluntary sector, carer and user groups, local MPs, AMs and councillors
Write regular press releases

9. Why we visit NHS premises
Gather information from patients / public
Observe standards of care in particular dignity and respect
Evaluate quality of the services from a patient / public view
Check the level of patient / public satisfaction
Undertake Focused visits
Make announced or unannounced visits
Encourage the spread of “best practices” through publication of our reports
All our visit reports and information are available on line 7 days before our meetings we routinely share all visit reports and responses with Health Care Inspectorate Wales

10. Key Themes past 12 months:
Day Room provision
Maintenance issues
Provision and usage of Hearing Loops
Support Services - Therapies etc.
Discharge and repatriation
Facility Closures
Infection and Control issues
Accessibility – pull cords, signage etc.
Bare below the elbow
Staff on Wards
Patient Needs

11. Third Sector and CHC:
How can the CHC ensure we routinely hear the voice of service users?
How can we ensure during service changes the voice of service users?
How can we publicise the role of the CHC across the area?
How can we strengthen the links between the Third Sector and the CHC over the next 12 months?

12. How to find and contact us
Mr Stephen Allen
Chief Officer
Cardiff & Vale of Glamorgan CHC
Unit 3 Pro Copy Business Centre
Parc Ty Glas
Llanishen
Cardiff CF14 5DU
Website: communityhealthcouncils.org.uk/cardiffandvale

13. Thank you for listening
Any questions?