This has been another very busy year and I would like to thank the members and staff of the Council for their continuing hard work and dedication in providing a voice for individuals and communities in the Western Board area.

This report will outline some of the work that staff and members of the Council have undertaken throughout the year.

In November 2005 the Minister announced plans for the four Health Councils to be replaced by "one powerful single health and social care users' body" which will be called the Patient Client Council (PCC). The new PCC will come into effect on 1st April 2008. The Council welcomes the Minister's proposals and hopes that the new body will strengthen the voice of the public, patients and clients. In the interim the Western Health and Social Servies Council will continue to work to represent the public in health and social care.

Finally, staff and Members of the Council were very saddened to learn of the death of Councillor Barney McAleer and Mr Patrick Bogan, both of whom were highly respected and dedicated members of the Health Council for a number of years. On behalf of the Council I would like to extend our condolences to their wives and families.

Mr Paddy McGowan

Chairman