A CHAIRMAN has spoken out against the abolition of health watchdogs.
Mary Wilkinson said she was "saddened and offended" by the abolition of community health councils.
Mrs Wilkinson has been chairman of Calderdale CHC since 1997.
In her final annual report she said it had been two-and- a-half years since the announcement that CHCs would be abolished.
The NHS Plan 2000 said they would cease to exist after December 1, 2003.
"We are saddened and offended that we have to go and that reformation was not acceptable," said Mrs Wilkinson.
"The enormous changes which have taken place within the NHS mean that even a reformed CHC would not have been right and that the several organisations which have been created to replace us are needed.
"It was not even discussed with us. However, we wish the new organisations success."
Mrs Wilkinson said it had been a great privilege and pleasure to work as a member of Calderdale CHC for the people of the area.
She paid tribute to all the people who had been members of the CHC since 1974 and had contributed thousands of voluntary hours to work for patients and the staff who supported them.
