43.— (1) The Executive may take such steps as it considers appropriate to consult with local communities or other groups about health and personal social services.

(2) Such steps may include the establishment by the Executive of panels to advise the Executive or to enable it to seek the views of—

(a) persons who are being or have been provided with a health or personal social service or who are seeking or have sought a health or personal social service,

(b) carers of persons referred to in paragraph (a),

(c) service providers, and

(d) such other persons as the Executive considers appropriate.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), the Executive shall determine for each panel established under this section—

(a) its terms of reference,

(b) the manner in which its members are to be nominated, and

(c) the rules governing its meetings and procedures.

(4) A panel may not consider, or provide advice or views to the Executive concerning, a matter that under paragraphs (a) to (d) of section 42(2) a regional health forum is not authorised to consider.

(5) In providing advice to the Executive, a panel shall have regard to—

(a) the approved corporate plan in operation at the time,

(b) the approved service plan in operation at the time, and

(c) any arrangement under section 38 with a service provider.

(6) The Executive shall provide, or arrange for the provision of, such administrative services as may be necessary to enable a panel to perform its functions.

(7) The following allowances and expenses are payable by the Executive:

(a) the travelling and subsistence allowances of panel members in accordance with such scales as may be determined from time to time by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance;

(b) the expenses of a panel.

(8) The Executive may dissolve a panel established under this section.