The incoming director of the Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales has issued an ultimatum to CHCs: adapt or die.

'CHCs have clearly got to change,' Donna Covey told HSJ. 'If they don't, we will not have them in 10 years' time.'

Ms Covey was concerned that the Patients Association is increasingly seen as the voice of NHS users. CHCs should emphasise their local accountability in discussions with the government about their future, she argued.

'One of my concerns is we are going to see surveys taking the place of proper community organisations. Some bright advisor will say we don't need CHCs, we have got focus groups.

'That is incredibly dangerous. If we are going to have a watchdog, it has got to have teeth.'

Ms Covey, who is currently national officer for equality with the GMB union, is due to take up her new post in October.

See News Focus, page 10.