HEALTH campaigners are claiming a moral victory after a Government U-turn over patient watchdogs.

Almost two years after the NHS Plan stirred up controversy by announcing the planned abolition of community health councils the Government has changed its mind.

In what campaigners describe as a significant shift the Government have tabled an amendment to the NHS Reform and Health Care Professions Bill which will mean that 315 Patients' Forums will be set up around England.

They will provide independent support for patients who have complaints about the NHS.

Peter Walsh, director of the Association of Community Health Councils, said: "This is a moral victory. The principles that CHCs stand for are at last being accepted - a strong, integrated independent voice for local people on health issues."

He thanked the many organisations and groups who have pressed for CHCs to be retained in some form.

Val Bryden, chief officer of South Durham and Weardale Community Health Council, said the move was "a significant and welcome shift in the Government's stance on CHCs".

To be credible, it was vital that the new watchdog bodies remained independent of NHS control, she added.

CHCs were set up in 1974 as patient advocates within the NHS. Each year they assist about 30,000 patients.

A Department of Health spokesman said: "Following useful discussions with the Association of Community HealthCouncils in England and Wales and David Hinchcliffe we have been able to combine the strengths of patients' councils with our original provisions, to create proposals which we believe are a better deal for patients, the public and the NHS.

"The overall effect of the changes we are making to the Bill today is to make the system simpler to understand, less bureaucratic and consequently, more effective.