Barnet's health watchdogs face the axe under new Government scheme

by JENI CONNIBEER

Amid all the good news announced for the health service last week came a crashing blow for Barnet's health watchdog.

The Community Health Council (CHC), which acts as the eagle-eyed overseer of all the borough's health providers, is to be abolished. And in its place, according to the government's new NHS Plan, will be a council-based regulatory body working alongside patient advocates at hospitals and national inspection agencies.

'No-one is completely happy with CHCs,' said CHC Chairman Alan Sloam. 'They don't have a high enough profile and maybe these changes will improve that.

'But it will be an act of crass stupidity if they get rid of them without keeping their independence, and their expertise.'

Mr Sloam fears the new bodies will be seen as too establishment. 'If you pack them with councillors it won't work. 'There is a danger that they will become politicised ,, it is vital that they retain their independence,' he said.

CHCs were created 26 years ago to independently scrutinise the work of the NHS. There are 209 across the country and all representatives are unpaid. Barnet CHC has three full time paid staff posts, shared between five people.

'When you consider what they cost to run, the service CHCs provide is fabulous,' said Mr Sloam. 'There is an argument for reform, but not abolition.'

The Government must now introduce legislation to parliament before CHCs can be abolished.

jconnibeer@london.newsquest.co.uk

What Barnet CHC has achieved:

Secured 24-hour opening for the Urgent Treatment Centre at Edgware Community Hospital

Prevented complete closure of Harperbury mental hospital which now has 34 residents and operates a day hospital

Barnet Psychiatric Unit, yet to be implemented, is to be rebuilt instead of relocating all services in Edgware

Secured an appeals panel for people who had been refused continuous care funding by the Health Authority