What are Health and Social Services Councils?

Health and Social Services Councils are independent organisations which represent the views and opinions of the general public in all areas of health and social services. There are four Councils in Northern Ireland - one in each Health Board area. They are known as the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Health and Social Services Councils.

What do the Health and Social Services Councils do?

• Provide information and advice on health and social services issues.
• Offer advice, information and help to people who want to complain about a service.
• Monitor the quality of local services.
• Work with local groups to help them give their opinions on health and social services.
• Act for the public to improve the range, type and quality of services.
• Carry out independent surveys to find out what the public thinks about services.
• Represent the public's interests in responding to consultation about health and social services.
• Regularly visit health and social services facilities.

Do the Councils have any legal rights?

Health and Social Services Councils have the following legal rights:

• To be consulted by the Health and Social Services Board on any major developments or changes in services.
• To have formal meetings with Health and Social Services Boards.
• To enter and inspect health and social services facilities.
• To receive any information which they need to do their job.

Who are the members of Health and Social Services Councils?

Council members are all local people who have an interest in health and social services issues. Members are drawn from city, district and borough councils, voluntary and community organisations and other interested groups. The Eastern Health and Social Services Council has 30 members and the others have 24. Each Council is supported by full-time staff. Members of Health and Social Services Councils agree to keep to a code of conduct.

Can anyone become a member of a Health and Social Services Council?

Anyone can apply to become a member of a Health and Social Services Council, but there are some people who can't become members. (Please ask a Health and Social Services Council for more details.) The Councils work best when a wide cross section of the population is involved. If you would like to become a member of a Health and Social Services Council please contact your nearest Council or reply to one of the public advertisements which appear in local newspapers from time to time.