With the Labour Welsh Government proposing to abolish Community Health Councils (CHCs) and replace them with a new ‘Citizens’ Voice’ body, Clwyd West AM Darren Millar has called for the new patient watchdog to be based in North Wales.
Speaking in the Welsh Parliament this week, Darren expressed concern that the body should not be centralised in Cardiff and urged Ministers to locate it in North Wales.
Calling for a Statement on the matter from the Minister for Health and Social Services, he said:
“As the Trefnydd will know, the Welsh Government's intention is that Community Health Councils will be replaced with a single citizens' voice body to act as a patient watchdog in Wales.
“While I would prefer Community Health Councils to be retained, if a new body is created then I firmly believe that it should be located in North Wales. My own constituency, being centrally located along the North Wales coast and easily accessible along the A55 corridor would be an ideal location.
“I think that it is important that, where possible, the Welsh Government should ensure that public sector jobs are based outside of Cardiff. Locating the new citizens' voice body in North Wales would go a long way to recognising the importance of the region for the Welsh Government”.