HEALTH workers fear patients could lose out if plans to abolish Preston and South Ribble's health watchdogs get the go ahead.

Under the Government's national health policy, Community Health Councils (CHC) face the axe despite a Commons revolt by Labour MPs last week to amend a bill and save the councils.

The NHS Reform and Health Care Professions Bill which sets out to abolish the CHCs is to have its third reading in the House of Lords on January 31 where concerns have been expressed over the new system's independence as a watchdog for health care providers.

It comes at a time when Preston Acute Hospitals and Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust look set to merge to become a teaching hospital creating more scope for patient care.

But chief officer for Chorley and South Ribble CHC, Pauline Blackie, feared the rights of patients may be compromised by what is to take the health council's place.

She said: "I have grave concerns that what will take our place when we have gone will not be efficient, independent or effective.

"We must make sure for people in the future that the services we now have are maintained.

"What we are concerned about are principles and that means a fully independent NHS watchdog."

Since 1984 Pauline has given support to patients wanting to complain about treatment they have at hospital and has rallied to retain services at the hospital.

She said: "We were in unified campaigns with the Save Our Hospital Campaign Committee and the Hospital Crusade to get the hospital services which we have now."

Deborah Smethhurst, chief officer for Preston CHC, echoed her fears: "I just hope that what comes after us is adequate and patients don't lose out."

Last week 26 Labour MPs voted against the government and others abstained, halving the government's majority to 74 on the Bill.

Murray Benham from the Association of Community Health Councils said: "We are going to put pressure on the Lords as there is clear opposition from the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives and some Labour party members to the abolition of CHC's."

South Ribble MP David Borrow, who supported a recent amendment to the Bill to create Patient Councils in replacement of the CHC, said: "I don't see the CHC issue as having a major impact on the merger of the Trusts and I have had only one complaint about it."

MP for Preston Mark Hendrick added: "I believe the CHCs have done an excellent job over the years and I was surprised by the government's decision to change it.

"However I'm prepared to give the new system a go."