Explanatory note

These Regulations make provision in relation to the appointment of the Healthwatch England committee (“the Committee”) of the Care Quality Commission (“the Commission”). The Committee was provided for in section 181 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 (“the 2012 Act”) which made various amendments to Part 1 of, and Schedule 1 to, the Health and Social Care Act 2008 in relation to the appointment and functions of the Committee.

Regulation 2 makes provision as to the membership of the Committee.

Regulation 3 makes provision as to the appointment of members, including results to be secured by persons with powers to appoint members. This includes a requirement to secure that the majority of the members are not members of the Commission.

Regulation 4 makes provision for the appointment of co-opted members by the Committee.

Regulations 5 to 9 make provision as to the tenure of office of members (regulation 5), disqualification for appointment or from holding office as a member (regulation 6), cessation of disqualification (regulation 7), termination of tenure (regulation 8) and suspension of members (regulation 9).

Regulation 10 makes transitional provision to ensure that, until the provisions of the 2012 Act relating to Local Healthwatch organisations are commenced, specified persons, such as representatives of Local Involvement Networks, can be appointed as members in place of directors of Local Healthwatch organisations.

A full Impact Assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private sector or civil society organisations is foreseen.