A LABOUR Government would extend the role of patient watchdog groups, allowing them to monitor every aspect of health, says shadow health secretary Chris Smith.

In a letter to Burnley Community Health Council he sharply contrasted Labour plans with those of the present Government.

He said the Tories aimed to place a tight leash on the watchdog to "further undermine patient accountability and democracy in the health service."

Mr Smith said under Labour proposals, CHCs would continue to play a key role in maintaining accountability.

He was responding to council chairman Frank Clifford, who had expressed concern after an exclusive Lancashire Evening Telegraph report which showed the Government planned a major cutback in the role of the health-watch teams.

In his response the Labour health supremo said Government proposals to muzzle CHCs included slashing their patient advocacy role in disputes with health services. He said ministers had splashed out £80,000 on a management consultancy report which proposed CHCs moving away from monitoring local services and providing health information to the public.

Mr Smith said there was a clear agenda to rid CHCs of their patient advocacy duties.

He told Coun Clifford that Labour believed the watchdog bodies should also have a voice at health authority meetings.

The CHC chairman wrote to the senior health spokesmen of the three major political parties after expressing alarm over the cut-back plans which formed "a frightening prospect."

He welcomed the Labour proposals to add to CHC powers if elected.

"There is a clear and very real need to maintain and re-inforce the role of health, " Coun Clifford stressed.

He said the Government must not be allowed to destroy the health councils.

He has not yet received replies from the Government or the Liberal Democrats.

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