Sir,
I would be obliged if you would allow me as a current member of Pembrokeshire Community Health Council to clarify Angela Burns's comments in last week's edition of the Tenby Observer, 'Plan to merge CHCs is a flawed one, says AM'.
The Welsh Assembly Government has published a consultation document titled Proposals on the Future of Community Health Councils in Wales. This consultation document provides details on the future number and functions of Community Health Councils in Wales.
There is a proposal to dissolve Pembrokeshire, Carmarthen, and Ceredigion CHCs and replace the three existing bodies with a new West Wales CHC.
The new West Wales CHC will then have an involvement in the setting up of 23 area associations within the new CHC West Wales boundaries. These proposals will come into effect on October 1, 2009.
The consultation to reform CHCs follows on from the Welsh Assembly Government current consultation paper, Delivering the New NHS for Wales, which is due to end on February 25.
I would strongly urge our local town and community and respective county councillors and voluntary and individual organisations and members of the public with an interest in health to read and comment on the plans to dissolve Pembrokeshire CHC.
The consultation is open to comments until April 24.
Copies of the consultation can be obtained from the chief officer, Mr. Ashley Warlow, Pembrokeshire Community Health Council, 01646 697610, or alternatively from the Department for Health and Social Services, 029 2080 1427, [email protected]">[email protected] or http://wales.gov.uk/consulatations/healthsocialcare/?Iang=en">http://wales.gov.uk/consulatations/healthsocialcare/?Iang=en
Tony Wales,
Manorbier.