Community Health Councils in Wales - Appointment of Members
- Body
- Aneurin Bevan Community Health Council, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Community Health Council, Betsi Cadwaladr Community Health Council, Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Community Health Council, Cwm Taf Community Health Council, Hywel Dda Community Health Council, Powys Community Health Council
- Appointing Department
- Welsh Government
- Sector
- Health and Social Care
- Location
- There are 7 local community councils across (see Annex 1 in Information for Candidates document)
- Number of Vacancies
- 41
- Remuneration
- CHC members are volunteers. Once appointed members can claim for travel and other reasonable expenses in accordance with the CHC’s policies.
- Time Requirements
- 3-5 days per month
Campaign Timeline
-
Competition Launched
07/12/2017
-
Closed for Applications
22/01/2018 at 16:00
-
Panel Sift
02/02/2018
-
Final Interview Date
02/03/2018
-
Announcement
TBC
Vacancy Description
Role description
What do members do?
- Talk to patients and the public and encourage them to share their views and experiences of NHS services
- Report the views and experiences of patients and the public in a clear and balanced way
- Represent the views of patients and the public in meetings with those who plan and deliver NHS services
- Look at local plans and proposals for service changes
Person Specification
To be considered, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all the essential criteria for appointment.
Members do not need to be experts in the work of the NHS. We are looking for individuals from all walks of life who have a genuine interest in helping their local community to improve the services provided by the NHS.
Essential Criteria
Members will need to demonstrate:
- a genuine interest in listening to others with very strong social skills
- an ability to represent others in a balanced way
- an ability to relate to people of different backgrounds
- an ability to work effectively as part of a team
Welsh Language
The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is desirable but not essential for the posts. However, all candidates will be expected to display an understanding of the bilingual nature of Wales, and the principles contained in the Welsh Government’s Strategy for the language in Health and Social Services, More Than Just Words. This includes specifically:
- The importance of providing excellent bilingual services in the health sector;
- Not treating the Welsh language less favourably than English; and
- Promoting opportunities to use the Welsh language by means of the active offer principle.
Additional Information
The role and responsibilities of the Community Health CouncilBackground
Community Health Councils (CHCs) are responsible for representing independently and without bias the interests of patients and the public in order to influence and improve the way National Health Services are planned and provided in Wales. CHC members are local volunteers who act as the eyes and ears of patients and the public, visiting hospitals, listening to patient concerns and working with the health service to improve the quality of patient care.
Community Health Councils – organisational structure
There are seven CHCs in Wales, each one covering a distinct geographical area of Wales. These geographical areas are aligned with the seven Local Health Boards which are responsible for designing and delivering NHS services in that area (see annexes D & E).
Each CHC is supported by a small team of paid staff, as well as local authority, third sector and volunteer members. The seven CHCs are overseen by the Board of Community Health Councils.
While CHCs represent the voice of patients in their local area, the Board of CHCs represents the voice of patients and the public at a national level. The Board of CHCs sets out the national standards CHCs must meet, provides advice, guidance and support and is also responsible for monitoring and managing their performance.
CHCs in Wales:
- help people get the services they need for themselves and those that they care for, by offering information and advice about health and related services in the local area
- continuously listen to what individuals and the community have to say about their NHS
- act as the public voice by letting NHS leaders and managers know what people want and how things can be improved
- foster good relations with local NHS services
- consult the public directly on certain issues; and relay the public’s views to the NHS and the Welsh Government
- assist, advise and support people who wish to raise a concern about NHS services
What do Community Health Council members do?
Some of the activities of the CHC, for example supporting individuals to raise a concern are carried out by the staff of the CHC. The role of CHC members is to provide a viewpoint from the public’s perspective. Members may be involved in the following activities:
- visiting, and scrutinising local health services, including:
- visits to GP surgeries, clinics and hospitals, listening to the views and experiences of patients, carers and staff,
- participating in committees and working groups set up to monitor and review NHS performance, and
- read and comment upon a wide range of NHS documents
- continuously engaging with the communities they represent and the health service providers serving those communities
- representing the interests of patients and the public in the planning and agreement of NHS service changes
Conflict of Interests
You will be asked to declare any private interests which may, or may be perceived to, conflict with the role and responsibilities as Member of Community Health Council, including any business interests and positions of authority outside of the role in Community Health Council.
Any conflicts of interest will be explored at interview. If appointed, you will also be required to declare these interests on a register which is available to the public.
Standards in public life
You will be expected to demonstrate high standards of corporate and personal conduct. All successful candidates will be asked to subscribe to the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies, you can access this document at: http://www.bl.uk/aboutus/governance/blboard/Board%20Code%20of%20Practice%202011.pdf