(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Community Health Councils Regulations 1985 mainly in consequence of the enactment of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990.
The amendments of substance made by the Regulations are as follows—
(a)they disqualify directors of NHS trusts from membership of Community Health Councils (regulation 2(3));
(b)they provide that District Health Authorities are not required to consult Community Health Councils where the establishment of an NHS trust is under consideration (regulation 2(7));
(c)they permit Regional Health Authorities to consult in place of District Health Authorities or Family Practitioner Committees where it is expedient to do so (regulation 2(8), (9) and (10)(b) and (c));
(d)they enable establishing authorities (rather than the Secretary of State as at present) to require Family Practitioner Committees to carry out further consultations with Community Health Councils (regulation 2(10)(a));
(e)they enable the Secretary of State to require Regional Health Authorities carrying out consultation in place of a District Health Authority or Family Practitioner Committee to carry out further consultations with Community Health Councils (regulation 2(10)(b));
(f)they enable Community Health Councils to inspect premises of Regional Health Authorities and NHS trusts (regulation 2(12) and (13)).