MONMOUTHSHIRE councillors have joined calls for the Welsh Government to strengthen the role of an independent health watchdog rather than scrapping them altogether.

At a meeting with Welsh Government representatives, members raised fears that the scrapping of community health councils (CHCs) could lead to their constituents’ voices being weakened.

The plans, which would see CHCs replaced by a new national body, form part of a consultation into potential changes to how health and social care services are run in Wales.

There are currently 320 volunteers working in the seven CHCs across Wales, with 45 volunteering for the Aneurin Bevan CHC in Gwent.

Figures reveal that the local CHC carried out 171 inspections of NHS care providers – which includes hospitals, doctor’s surgeries and ambulance services – in 2015/16 and 128 in 2016/17.

Speaking on Thursday, Dewstow’s Cllr Tony Easson, a member of the Aneurin Bevan CHC, said that the strength of the independent bodies would be “eroded by too much centralisation”.

He said: “We are concerned that the proposal of replacing the CHCs do not provide effective independent voice for patients and in fact a step back from what is in place now.

“CHCs cost about £4 million a year to run and the value of volunteers creates a saving of £750,000. This must be built on, not destroyed.”

Cllr Louise Brown, member for Shirenewton, also believed that the policies outlined in the white paper leaned more towards the “national and regional” picture.

“It may mean citizen voices, on a local level, will be missed,” added Cllr Brown.

Cllr Val Smith, member for Llanbadoc and of Aneurin Bevan CHC, said: “The CHC as they stand are not strong enough. You must have a truly independent body that has equal status with your health boards and with your social services.”

Pat Vernon, on behalf of the Welsh Government’s health and social services group, said that the intention was to “strengthen the citizen’s voice, not weaken it, while maintaining local representation and local links.”

The consultation on the white paper closes on Friday, September 29. To take part, visit https://consultations.gov.wales/consultations/services-fit-future.