06 June 2003
Community health councils have welcomed the decision to delay their abolition by three months.
CHCs were due to be wound up on September 1 and be replaced with a system that includes patients' forums within each trust (including primary care trusts). These will oversee complaints and also provide advocacy services for patients.
But the Department of Health this week announced a stay of execution until December 1.
The Association of CHCs in England and Wales said the government had listened to its fear that there would be a gap between the abolition of local watchdogs and the full operation of their replacement next April.
'This is a good decision for patients and the public. CHCs will be able to continue monitoring the NHS during the transition period,' an association spokesman said.
'We are not confident that the new system will be in place by December, but at least we will be further along the process than in September.'
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