A date has finally been set for the abolition of community health councils nationwide, including Mid Essex CHC, which has pledged to continue its work until its final day.
The Government has announced that the intended date for CHCs in England and Wales to be abolished is September 1 this year.
The announcement has brought to an end two years of uncertainty for CHCs, which were established in 1974 to represent the interests of patients within the NHS.
Norma O'Hara, chief officer of Mid Essex Community Health Council, said: "It was back in June 2000 that Alan Milburn, Secretary of State for Health, announced in the NHS Plan that it was the Government's intention to abolish CHCs.
"Members of Parliament in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons mounted a campaign to change this view.
"It was not until July 2002 that the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Bill was passed, in which it was stated that CHCs would be abolished.
Staff and CHC members have had a very unsettled time since this date, not knowing the date for abolition.
"Mid Essex CHC has continued to support the public in its area, including winning a bid to provide the six-month pilot scheme for Essex ICAS, Independent Complaints Advocacy Service.
"It will continue to meet its statutory duties until the date of abolition."
Published Friday, February 7, 2003
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