LORD Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, the former leader of Kent County Council, is to take on a key job of keeping a check on health services in the county.

Lord Sandy, who is still a county councillor, has agreed to become chairman of the all-party watchdog committee responsible for scrutinising all aspects of health care, including hospital re-organisations, in Kent.

His appointment is part of a reshuffle of other political posts at County Hall by KCC Conservative leader Cllr Paul Carter.

The Kent NHS Scrutiny committee has the power to ask the Secretary of State to intervene where it believes proposals in the area are contrary to the interests of patients.

It also can summon NHS chiefs and others to answer questions about their plans for health care.

Recently, it referred plans by the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to downgrade accident and emergency services at Maidstone Hospital to the Government.

Lord Sandy replaces Maidstone county councillor Alan Chell (Con), who has stood down.