Eluned Morgan MS, Minister for Health and Social Services
I am pleased to confirm our intention the new Citizen Voice Body for Health and Social Care will start to operate from April 2023. Its establishment over the next 15 months will be shaped by the experience of the Community Health Councils as well as those who deliver, work with and rely on our health and social care services.
We have begun the process of recruiting to the non-executive member roles, including the chair, deputy chair and six other members. I hope these key appointments will be in place from April 2022. Applications opened on 4 January and will close on 1 February.
Once appointed, they will begin the recruitment of a chief executive for this new, independent body and take a leading role in development of the operational, governance, financial and other arrangements necessary for the organisation to exercise its full functions from 1 April 2023.
As an organisation with what matters to people as its driving force, the Citizen Voice Body will seek the views and represent the interests of the public, in all parts of Wales, across health and social care, and make representations to NHS bodies and local authorities about their services. Non-executive membership of the board offers a unique opportunity – especially in the context of learning lessons from the ongoing pandemic – for the diverse interests of those who rely on our health and social care services to be understood and acted upon.
I strongly encourage applications from people with experience of engaging the public and a sincere commitment to improving outcomes for service users. This is what our citizens will rightfully expect.
Following the appointment of members – the chair’s appointment to include a pre-appointment hearing with the Senedd’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee – I will ensure the Senedd remains informed of progress in establishing this important new body.