MORE than 60 patients with complaints against East Lancashire NHS bodies could be left without any support, the Citizen's Advice Bureau warned today.

The charity said it would no longer be able to help people with complaints against NHS services from April when its contract with the Government expires.

A Department of Health spokeswoman today confirmed that another group had yet to be given the contract to run the Independent Complaints Advisory Service, which it has a statutory obligation to provide. She declined to comment further.

And a bureau boss said this could leave 66 patients, who have an ongoing complaint, without support as the Government has yet to appoint another organisation to take over CAB's work.

Patients who want to begin a complaint could also suffer, said CAB boss Ann Williams.

Many people, particularly the elderly and those with mental health problems, needed the support of CAB for the complex process, she said.

Mrs Williams, North West regional co-ordinator for the bureau's ICAS service, said: "If another organisation is awarded the contract even by the end of this month how are they going to find premises and recruit staff to be ready to take on ongoing cases by April 1?

"We are concerned some cases will be lost , because even if we do the best we can, who is going to take on new cases from April?"

Three dedicated ICAS workers face losing their jobs if they are not transferred in April, she said.

They presently travel to people's homes to help with complaints against local health authorities, such as attitudes of staff and treatment by mental health services, she said.

Elizabeth Williams, manager of independent support group East Lancs Advocacy, which also offers support for people who want to complain, said: "It is very concerning that there is nothing in place to pick up the service. My concern is existing clients who have not managed to resolve their complaint."

The ICAS service was set up after the national patient watchdog network of Community Health Councils was abolished.

Former CHC chairman John Amos said he believed the CHCs provided a more local support service with offices in Burnley and Blackburn and said the latest development was "an unnecessary disruption".

He said: "We need a local service so there is easy contact for the people of East Lancashire, especially people who live in remote areas like Barnoldswick.

"We can live in hope that the Government will improve the service but I don't think those hopes are very realistic."

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "The tendering process is not yet complete and as such we are unable to comment."