A series of events to gauge people's views on the future role of Community Health Councils (CHCs) will be held throughout Wales.

The dates, times and locations of the events are:

- Abercynon - Tuesday 17 March, Abercynon Sports Centre, Abercynon, from 9am until 12pm;
- Brecon - Thursday 19 March, Bishops Hotel, Brecon from 9am until 12pm;
- Newtown - Thursday 19 March, Elephant and Castle, Newtown, from 2pm until 5pm;
- Cwmbran - Friday 20 March, Green Meadows Golf Club, Croesyceiliog, from 9.30am until 12.30pm; - Cardiff - Friday 20 March, County Hall, Cardiff Bay, from 2pm until 5pm;
- Caernarfon - Wednesday 1 April, Gwynedd Council Offices, Caernarfon, from 9am until 12pm;
- Llandudno - Wednesday 1 April, Rhuddlan Room, Venue Cymru, Llandudno from 2pm until 5pm;
- Swansea - Friday 3 April, Dolphin Hotel, Swansea, from 9am until 12pm;
- Bridgend - Friday 3 April, Heronston Hotel and Leisure Club, Bridgend, from 2pm until 5pm;
- Anglesey - Monday 6 April, The Isle Of Anglesey County Council Offices, Anglesey, from 2pm until 5pm;
- Clynderwen - Tuesday 7 April, Nant-y-ffin Hotel and Motel, Clynderwen, from 9am until 12pm;
- Carmarthen - Tuesday 7 April, St Peter's Civic Hall, Carmarthen from 2pm until 5pm;
- Wrexham - Wednesday 8 April, William Aston Hall, Glyndwr University, Wrexham, from 9am until 12pm;
- Dolgellau - Thursday 9 April, Ty Siamas, Neuadd Iris, Dolgellau, from 9am until 12pm, and
- Aberystwyth - Thursday 9 April, Park Lodge Hotel, Aberystwyth, from 2pm until 5pm.

The events, organised by the Board of Community Health Councils in Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government, aim to seek people's views on the proposals. Those interested in attending should contact Gwenllian Stifin at the Board of Community Health Councils on 0845 644 7814 or email enquiries@waleschc.org.uk.

The Welsh Assembly Government has launched a consultation on plans to strengthen the role of CHCs in Wales in the new NHS structure.

Under the proposals, the existing 19 CHCs would be dissolved and seven new CHCs created with the same boundaries as the seven new Local Health Boards. Their role and function would be strengthened by having 23 Area Associations with strong local links with the same boundaries as the local authorities. Given the geographical size of Powys, two local associations will be set up to support the one CHC.

The new CHCs would attach significant importance to the need for local involvement within communities. They would:

- Actively seek out the views of local people on health service matters;
- Champion the view of patients in the development of local health services and be able to refer proposed developments to the Health Minister for consideration, where necessary;
- Inspect NHS premises as part of continuous improvement, working with the existing inspectorates;
- Provide advice and support to adult patients to help them complain about NHS services; and,
- Publish annual reports on their activities and performance.

The Board of CHCs in Wales will have its chair and vice chair appointed through open competition and the chair will advise the NHS Wales National Advisory Board of the key issues of concern to patients and the public with respect to the planning and delivery of health services in Wales.

The proposals, which are out to consultation until Friday, 24 April, can be found on the Welsh Assembly Government website here.

Welsh Assembly Government