NEWS that legislation abolishing community health councils has finally been passed has been greeted with sadness by the chairman of Kidder-minster's health watchdog.

Pauline Davis said CHCs should have been reformed not scrapped and replaced by the new Patients' Forums.

However, she said a campaign by the Association of CHCs had ensured more independence for the Patients' Forums and the overview Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health.

In particular, the new forums would have the right to go into GP practices and private nursing homes, rather than ask for permission, as at present.

And the new bodies would be able to discuss a wide range of health issues and refer them to Worcestershire County Council's overview and scrutiny committee.

But she said she was "very sad" at the demise of the CHCs, signalled by the passing of the NHS Reform and Health Care Prof-essions Bill last Thursday.

And Mrs Davis, who has served with the CHC for seven years, four-and-a-half years as chairman, said the Bill still needed Royal Assent but she expected CHCs would wind up next year.