COUNCILS are being granted powers to ensure hospitals are giving patients a good service.

Graham Girvan, regional manager for community health councils, highlighted the enhanced role of local authorities after the abolition of patient watchdogs this summer.

Speaking at a special meeting to discuss patient and public involvement, held at Darlington Football Club, Mr Girvan said the system will replace community health councils (CHCs) on August 31.

While Health Secretary Alan Milburn's abolition plans have been criticised in the past, Mr Girvan stressed that local authorities would have tough new powers to protect patients.

"Councils which run social services, such as Darlington, will take over some of the former CHC functions," said Mr Girvan.

Overview and scrutiny committees set up by councils will have powers previously denied to CHCs, he said.

"They are going to be very punchy, very powerful bodies. They can require NHS officers to give answers - the CHCs never had those powers."

Scrutiny committees will have to be consulted if any major changes in the health service are proposed, he said.

Patients' Forums, which are being set up in every NHS trust to monitor and inspect services, would be able to call in the scrutiny committees to investigate any concerns they might have.

Forums would be independent of trusts, having a similar relationship to hospitals as existing CHCs.

While patient complaints will be handled by each trust's Patient Advice and Liaison Service (Pals), the forums will check on whether patient concerns are being adequately investigated by Pals staff.

Mr Girvan said there was still uncertainty over who would run the independent complaints advocacy support service in September.

"There will be an interim complaint service for a year, but we still don't know who will run it," he added.