Part of 2. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services – in the Senedd at 3:04 pm on 31 January 2018.
This has been part of the very sensible and constructive conversation that we've had: how do we make sure that there is a genuine patient voice, a citizen voice, across health and social care? How is that organised in a practical way to take on board the parts that have been successful within our system and to deal with some of the challenges that no-one suggests have worked well? Part of the focus has been on the ability for a community health council or its successor to be able to actually undertake visits, and there's a challenge there about doing that in a way so it doesn't disrupt patient care but actually makes sure that there is access and the ability to undertake some unannounced visits as well, but not confusing the mission with a citizen voice body and the work of the formal inspectorates—Care Inspectorate Wales and also Healthcare Inspectorate Wales. And, actually, there is a tension there to be resolved, because at the time the CHCs were created we didn't have those other formalised inspectorate organisations. So, it's about making sure that there's clarity in the mission that doesn't stop those important visits to understand and to hear directly from citizens as they're receiving and taking part in care themselves. So, I recognise the issues and of course they'll be part of our consideration going forward.