EVERY organisation needs to be placed under scrutiny to ensure it is providing the best possible service.

Without watchdogs examining what companies in all sectors are doing, there is a real risk that people lose out or problems are not recognised.

This is perhaps most true in health and social services, where it could literally be a matter of life or death if major problems are not brought to light immediately.

And the most important watchdogs are the people who use these services on a daily basis.

It is vital that their voices are heard so that the managers in both health and social services can act swiftly to address problems.

That is why the changes to patient representation in East Lancashire are causing such concern.

The old system, the Public and Patient Forum, has been replaced by the Government in favour of Local Involvement Networks (LINks).

These new groups will cover a geographical area and be for both health and social services.

They may well be more effective in raising patients' concerns in the long-run.

But the current transitional phase has been branded 'a mess' by one health observer.

This situation must be sorted out quickly and efficiently.

If it is not, it will be to the services' detriment.