Your allies in the NHS
Update: CHCs abolished
Community Health Councils (CHCs) in England and the Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales (ACHCEW) were abolished on 1 December 2003.
For more information on the new structures which have replaced CHCs, see the Department of Health’s section on Involving patients and the public in health
All too often, trans people seeking medical treatment from the NHS are faced with outright refusal, or ridiculous delays. (One woman was told she would have to wait fifteen years!)
Our guidance notes on What to do if refused funding for gender reassignment describe some of the steps you can take … but if you get stuck, your Community Health Council (CHC) can help.
Many people don’t know what a CHC is, let alone what it can do for them … so we’ve reproduced here the text of a leaflet which explains the role of the CHCs.
Community Health Councils
Working for a better health service
Published by the Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales
The Community Health Council is your local independent consumer council for the Health Service. Community Health Councils (CHCs) were set up by the government in 1974 to monitor and review the National Health Service and to recommend improvements.
CHCs are concerned with all aspects of the Health Service. Your local CHC can give you advice on the NHS. It can help you to improve the Health Service, help you to complain, or help you to get the service you need for yourself or for someone you care for. CHCs help to improve the Health Service for everybody and help get the right sort of care for people with special needs.
Each CHC has its own way of working and its own priorities depending on the type of area it covers, its resources and local demands. Your CHCs work will probably include;
- Involvement and consultation
Encouraging local groups to become involved in the CHCs work; assisting local organisations with health campaigns; talks and discussions with clubs, trade unions, schools, voluntary organisations etc.; consultation with these and other local bodies on proposed changes in NHS services or organisation.
- Research and information
Carrying out surveys to find out what local people need from the MHS; collecting information about the NHS; visiting hospitals, clinics and other NHS premises to assess the standard of care; collecting general health information.
- Improvements
Representing local interests when changes are proposed for local health services; making proposals for improvements to the NHS; challenging plans for changes which are opposed by local people; identifying good practices and reporting back to the Health Authority; assisting groups to make their views on health matters known.
- Help and advice
The staff in your local CHC will be able to tell you what services you can get from the NHS and can give you advice on how to deal with any problems. They will not give medical advice, but if you ask for help with something they cannot deal with they will put you in touch with someone who can. Anything you say to CHC staff will be treated confidentially.
CHC advice and information services include:
- Information
Information about local NHS services, e.g. where to find a doctor, dentist or an optician; details of local clinics. Details of specialist help, e.g. cancer screening, services for the elderly or disabled people and those who are mentally ill, local maternity services.
- Your health care problems
Advice on your rights as a patient; how to complain; where to get further information; how to get special assistance e.g. if you have difficulties with English; how to get your views across to the people who make decisions in the NHS; how to contact other groups or organisations which could help you.
- Making a complaint
Advice and support if you want to complain about treatment. CHC staff can help you put your complaint and ensure that it is followed up. In some cases CHC staff will go with you to a hearing.
How CHCs work
CHCs form a link between those who administer the NHS and the people who use it. Its own structure helps it do this:
- CHC Membership
Each CHC has between 16 and 30 members, made up of people from the local community. Half are appointed by the local council; one third are elected by local voluntary groups and organisations; the remainder are appointed by the Department of Health (in Wales by the Welsh Office). In addition the CHC can co-opt people with specialist skills or a particular interest.
- CHC staff
CHCs usually have two members of full time staff. You can contact them at the CHC office.
- CHC meetings
You can go to your local CHC meetings. They are held regularly and open to the public.
- CHC Legal duties and rights
CHCs have a legal duty to represent the interests of the community in the NHS. They are expected to cover all aspects of the NHS and have a legal right to;
- be consulted by the Health Authority on changes in the NHS
- Enter and inspect NHS premises
- Information from the NHS.
- Comments from the Health Authority on the annual report, which CHCs have a duty to publish.
- Have formal meetings with the Health Authority.
- Where to find the CHC
There are 207 CHCs in England and Wales, you can find out where your CHC is by contacting the Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales, 30 Drayton Park, London, N5 1PB Tel: (0171) 609 8405 Fax: (0171) 700 1152
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