THE Bromsgrove and Redditch Community Health Council, due to be terminated on September 1, has been given a reprieve until December 1.

The council has been told to continue because the patient's forum that will take over is not yet ready.

The lease on the CHC premises in Redditch has been given up so the council has to find new accommodation.

Three volunteer staff provide the administration and support of the council.

Chief Officer for the Bromsgrove and Redditch Community Health Council, Moira Morris, said: "We are pleased the government have recognised the importance of not having a huge gap between community health councils finishing and the commission for patient and public involvement forum starting."

She added: "Now we have to find new accommodation!"

Moira continued: "We do think the tone of the letter from the Department of Health was insulting. It was a dictate rather than a request."

Vice-chairman of the CHC, Kath Tedstone, said: "I'm delighted we'll be given the chance to monitor some of the projects already taking place, such as the steering group of the Minor Injuries Unit at the Princess of Wales Community Hospital."

Spokeswoman for the Department of Health, Rachel Hayward said: "We apologise for any confusion caused by the tone of the letter.

"We value and recognise the hard work of CHC members and will support them through these extra months," she added.