What is Montgomery CHC?

"Montgomery Community Health Council is an independent body within the NHS, established by Parliament to keep the local health service in review and to represent the interests of the public in all aspects of the NHS.

Montgomery CHC is made up of 20 unpaid volunteer members who live or work in the Montgomeryshire area. Five members are appointed by Powys County Council, five represent voluntary organisations and ten are appointed by the National Assembly for Wales. You may be eligible to apply for membership of the CHC if you are a member of a voluntary organisation or by applying to the National Assembly. You can find out the names of the members by contacting the CHC. There is also a small staff team which is accountable to the CHC and not employed by any local NHS agency.

How can people help the CHC?

You can help us to know how our local health services are operating and what local people feel needs developing or changing.

You can also let us know of any concerns you or your family have about local health services by contacting a CHC member or the CHC office, equally you can tell us about the good things or attend our regular meetings and raise any health issues.

You can also give us information about any health related support group you belong to

What does the CHC do?

We monitor the range and quality of local health services, looking to see that they are effective, efficient, accessible, related to needs, wide-ranging and patient centred. We Visit NHS premises and services, conduct surveys of public and user views, talk to patients, families, carers, NHS staff and the general public, monitor enquiries, concerns, compliments and complaints, liaise closely with health service managers and voluntary support groups, consider planning and performance documents, proposals and waiting lists.

We also represent the public interest by feeding patient and public views, experiences and interests to the commissioners and providers of health services, so that health service planning and delivery is influenced by lay people as well as clinicians and health service managers. We bring patient and public concerns to the attention of the relevant health agencies, take a balanced view and respond to informal and formal consultations by the health agencies, send CHC representatives to various health planning and monitoring committees and groups.

We also encourage and facilitate public and patient involvement in service planning.

How do you help people?

We provide information, advice and help to individuals. We give information about local health services, support groups, your rights, national health issues, health costs and help available.

We also advise and assist people who are experiencing problems with health services, provide an independent, free, non-judgemental and confidential complaints support service to people who have concerns or complaints about their health care.

How can people contact MCHC?

Telephone: 01686 627632 Fax: 01686 629091 email: info@montchc.org.uk

You are welcome to visit the CHC office - 2nd Floor, Ladywell House, Newtown, Powys SY16 1JB.

Our office is open 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday.