Powys Community Health Council [CHC] is an independent statutory organisation which represents the interests of patients and the public in the National Health Service in Powys. Acting as a “watchdog” on behalf of the residents Of Powys, the CHC is concerned with all aspects of NHS care and treatment, whether provided in Powys or in the acute general hospitals outside Powys, both in Wales and in England, that provide care for the people of Powys.

Who are they?

Powys CHC is made up of unpaid volunteer members who live or work in Powys.  Members are appointed by the Welsh Government, by Powys County Council and by Voluntary Organisations.

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

• let us know of any concerns you or your family have about local health services by contacting a CHC member or the CHC office
• tell us about the good things
• attend our regular meetings, which are held in public, and raise any health issues
• give us information about any health related support group you belong to
• respond to CHC members if you meet them on their visits to health services or when conducting a survey of views
• invite the CHC to speak about the work of the CHC to your community or support group

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 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 feed patient and public views, experiences and interests to the commissioners and providers of the 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
• encourage and facilitate public and patient involvement in service planning

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
• 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

Office Hours:

Monday - Thursday 9:00 - 16:30
Friday 9:00 to 16:00

Newtown Office

Floor 1, Ladywell House
Newtown
SY16 1JB
Telephone: 01686 627632
E-mail address: enquiries.powyschc@waleschc.org.uk

Brecon Office

1st Floor
Neuadd Brycheiniog
Cambrian Way
Brecon
LD3 7HR
Telephone: 01874 624206
Email address: enquiries.powyschc@waleschc.org.uk

Website: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/1144/home

Twitter: https://twitter.com/powys_chc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowysCHC