EAST Lancashire MP Gordon Prentice has expressed concerns over government proposals to scrap Community Health Councils -- the patients' voice in the NHS.

The Pendle Labour back bencher is challenging the government to spell out "in plain language" the benefits of the new structure to replace them.

He spoke out after meeting the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale CHC where its chairman Frank Clifford and other CHC members expressed concerns that the proposed alternative was too fragmented and difficult to understand.

For many years CHCs were the simple one stop shops where patients could make complaints and see them taken up with local NHS managers.

CHC member Helen Gee told Mr Prentice: "The new system will be very difficult for patients and the public to understand.

"There will be five patient tiers and we remain unconvinced that this will lead to a properly co-ordinated way in which patients can achieve real influence and change at all levels in the NHS."

The new system -- outlined in a document called "Involving Patients and the Public In Health Care" proposes a series of complaints procedures within the NHS. Consultation on the plans runs until October 12.

Mr Prentice said: "I am concerned about organisational change and upheaval in the NHS just when we all want to concentrate on delivery. Organisational change can be a great distraction. Benefits have to be clear and unambiguous."