Hutt confirms stronger role for CHCs in Wales

The role of community health councils in Wales is to be strengthened, even though the government in England has pledged to abolish them.Welsh health minister Jane Hutt said: 'Because the existing network of CHCs is already well integrated and locally based, it is well placed to fit into the new structure and play a leading role.The work that the councils do and the potential that exists for strengthening their roles is a central component of our public involvement strategy as set out in Improving Health in Wales .'The latest announcement, which will be open to consultation, follows a review of CHCs in Wales.But Ms Hutt stressed that the number of councils would remain the same.