The Department of Health has published a consultation paper in relation to the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) Draft Regulations 2008. This may be found on the DH website by clicking here

The consultation period started on 21 July and ends on 16 September 2008.

The consultation outlines plans to change the governance of CHRE, that is, our Council.

These changes will help to ensure that CHRE acts as an independent voice for patients and the public on healthcare professional regulation issues.

The new CHRE council will

• have nine members – two executive, six non-executive and a chair.
• be independent of the regulatory bodies and the professions they regulate

The consultation paper covers issues such as:

• who can and cannot be a member of Council
• how long the members are appointed for
• arrangements for removing or suspending members from the Council
• when a deputy chair can be appointed
• the appointment of any committees

These plans have been developed in discussion with CHRE.

Organisations or individuals can submit responses to the Department of Health until 16 September 2008.

After the consultation closes, the final regulations will be laid before Parliament.

Recruitment of the chair and non-executive members will begin in September and we expect the new Council to begin work in January 2009.