BURY's health watchdog held its first public meeting the day before news broke that the town could lose its special care baby unit.

The Patient and Public Involvement in Health Forum (PPIHF) introduced itself to the people of Bury as the replacement for the Community Health Council.

Although the group is short on members and admits it is still getting to grips with its new role, chairman Barbara Barlow said: "I wish to assure the public that members of the PPIHF for Bury Primary Care Trust will be fully involved in the two taskforces which are being set up in relation to planned changes in children's health services, prior to any formal consultation process.

"While welcoming the proposed provision of 'centres of excellence' to improve neonatal care services within Greater Manchester, I am obviously concerned about the impact proposed changes will make to the delivery of paediatric and maternity services in Bury."

The PPIHF can be contacted by writing to Gaddum Centre, 6 Great Jackson Street, Manchester, M15 4AX, or by e-mail, gaddum@btconnect.com or telephone 0161 214 3900 marking all correspondence for the attention of Bury PPIHF, Bury PCT.