Dame Rennie Fritchie has publicly vouched support for the work done by community health councils, in a move that appears to distance her from government policy, which is set on abolishing the patient watchdogs.Dame Rennie, commissioner for public appointments, made her comments following a conference of 100 members of London CHCs.

She saluted the 'commitment, energy and enthusiasm for continuing to work with those who run the NHS, to improve things for those who use the NHS', as 'good news for London - a truly remarkable resource for the future'.