The chairman of a new health watchdog has vowed to keep an eye on the performance of local NHS organisations as it takes up its new role in Bradford.

From this month Bradford Council's overview and scrutiny committee for health gained the power to scrutinise the performance of local health organisations.

It will take over part of the work of the district's community health councils, which will be abolished later this year. Other work will go to the new patient forums and patient advice and liaison service.

The Council's scrutiny committees were identified as a weakness in an Audit Commission performance report last month with commissioners saying they were still finding their way,

But health scrutiny committee chairman Councillor David Herdson (Con, Shipley West) said: "We are going to be slightly different from the CHC, because we are picking up only part of their work.

"But people can have confidence that we will be working in the interests of people's health across the district."

The committee has been briefed on issues such as the potential closure of a number of smaller hospitals in Airedale, and has identified areas of work such as reducing the number of falls, lowering coronary heart disease and keeping an eye on performance ratings.

He said the committee had built up a good relationship with local organisations. "We want to make sure things stay running smoothly," he said.

Les Vasey, chairman of Brad-ford's Community Health Council, said the CHC had been working with the new committee to identify 'legacy issues' to hand over, such as drug services, cancer services and services for cleft lip and palate patients.

"It will be important to ensure the committee has the resources to be effective in their new role," he said. "That is our major concern.

He had mixed feelings about the abolishment of the CHC. "Because of its independence it served patients well," he said.

New legislation has also meant the creation of a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) which will guide people through the formal complaints procedure.

Angela Hamilton, head of the service, said: ""Officers work across the district and we have people who specialise in different areas."

The PALS hotline number is (01274) 322777 or e-mail pals@brad ford.nhs.uk or Freepost, NEA, 13056, Bradford, BD13 1BR.

The office is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4pm on Friday. The service is confidential.