I RECENTLY received material from the director of the Association of Community Health Councils which, to say the least, is disturbing.

Headed "Muzzling the watchdog", it deals with a proposal by the Government to abolish Community Health Councils.

Since their establishment in 1974, CHCs have provided a national network of independent health watchdogs. If the Government is allowed to get away with this it will mean that patients will no longer have an independent body, able to fight for their rights.

The plan is to create "patient advocates" who will be based in the hospital Trusts. They will "steer" patients towards the complaints system "where necessary", rather than play the role that CHCs have in the past, supporting patients and families when things go wrong. Patient advocates will be based in Trusts. They will struggle to be independent and will not be seen as independent by patients.

CHCs are independent and have statutory rights and responsibilities. These include the right to be consulted on changes to local health services, to be consulted on any proposals to establish, dissolve or merge NHS Trusts, and the right to access information.

Since their establishment, CHCs have ensured that the patient's voice has been heard and their complaints listened to. Recent cases where the importance of CHCs has been seen in action are the exposure of the surgeon Rodney Ledward and the support given to the relatives of the victims of Harold Shipman.

This is another area where the Pensioners Movement needs to take action. After all, we are the biggest users of the NHS.

P. KAISERMAN,

Bury Pensioners

Association.