Members of a patients' watchdog reached the end of an era when they met for the final time yesterday.

Bradford Community Health Council is to be axed on December 1 by the Government after 29 years putting patients' needs first.

Part of the CHC's role is to be replaced by the Bradford District Patient and Advice Liaison Services (PALS).

New Patients' Forums and Bradford Council's overview and scrutiny committee will also take on other parts of the CHC's watchdog role.

At the meeting at the CHC's centre in Legrams Terrace, at the Fieldhead Business Cen-tre, Bradford, chairman Les Vasey said he was proud of work carried out by the group.

"We do hope that the work of the CHC continues albeit in a different format and we trust that the patients' needs and rights will be cherished and supported."

The members also vowed to support Bradford's bid for foundation status and voted to support the plan, which would see Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust become more independent and able to borrow money.

Mr Vasey highlighted the need for the overview and scrutiny committee to monitor several services, including drug services and Bradford Royal Infirmary's children's accident and emergency unit.

He said staff and volunteers had helped to make the community's voice heard in the provision of health services and added that a letter would be written to David Jackson, chief executive of the hospitals trust, which runs Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke's Hospital, offering the CHC's support.