THE battle to save community health councils is continuing to gain support.
The second reading of the NHS Bill which includes proposals to abolish the health service watchdog organisations was going before the House of Commons today.
Chairman of the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale CHC Frank Clifford said: "It is not too late stop this proposal.
"The latest people to give us their support are the Pendle branch of UNISON who say they are totally opposed to the proposal as there is a definite need for an independent body." The Government plans to redistribute CHC functions between patient advocacy and liaison service, patients' forums, advisory citizens' panels, local council all-party scrutiny committees and the Commission for Health Improvement, in a planned health service shake-up.
The British Medical Association , Law Society and a wide variety of other national and local organisations are supporting the CHC campaign.
Coun Clifford said: " I am encouraged by the amount of support we are getting each day. It is still not too late."
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