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Welsh community health councils have blamed a lack of central leadership for slow progress on reorganisation.

Almost five months after the then Welsh secretary, Alun Michael, announced he wanted to see CHCs reorganised into 'federations', a clear outline of what this will mean in practice has yet to emerge.

CHCs in Gwent put forward proposals to create a single CHC with five offices, but were told this was not acceptable.

They are now drawing up plans for a federation of five CHCs with a single office and chief officer, but have been told they can develop the original ideas as 'a second option'.

Sue Wilshere, chief officer of the Association of Welsh Community Health Councils, said CHCs in Iechyd Morgannwg were also making plans for federation.

But CHCs in other areas have problems with the plans. Those in rural areas have voiced particular concerns.

Martin Morris, chief officer of Llanelli-Dinefwr CHC, said Dyfed Powys covered half the landmass of Wales and presented a diverse range of health issues.

'CHCs locally have always looked to work strategically, but respect those differences,' he said. 'The health service looks very different here in Llanelli from the way it does in Powys.

'Mr Michael has said CHCs are an important voice for local people and that is how we think it should be. Achieving a strategic direction for the whole of Dyfed Powys will be difficult to achieve. We do not have a clear vision of the future.'

Gareth Owen, chief officer of Meirionnydd CHC, said a proposed federation in his area of North Wales would be '100 miles from top to bottom' and the three CHCs supposed to operate in it 'do not see a way forward'.

A meeting between CHCs and Welsh Executive officials ended last week with CHCs being asked to work on proposals for a presentation to Welsh health and social services minister Jane Hutt in September.

Ms Wilshere said other work was being 'sidelined' by reconfiguration 'because it has been going on for so long'.

'It is a consequence of Mr Michael making an announcement with no flesh on the bones, and not consulting with anybody before he made his announcement,' she said. 'Officials are still saying go away and come back with options.'

Another chief officer said: 'Cynically, Alun Michael had one eye on the leadership of the Labour Party and one eye on the national Assembly when he came up with this plan.

'He came up with a plan that suited his own agenda. But it is not going to work everywhere.'

AWCHC has set up working groups looking at key issues for the new structure, such as funding and staffing. The number of members CHCs should have is still undecided. But every current member is due to stand down in April. Some have been asked to stay on twice while the future of CHCs was under consideration.