From April 2013, Healthwatch will be the new consumer champion for health and social care aiming to ‘strengthen the collective voice of the citizens and communities, enabling them to influence local health and social care services they require. Healthwatch will replace Local Involvement Networks or (LINk’s) that have been in place since 2008 across each local authority area, and will build on the work of LINk and create a stronger and more inclusive way of ensuring the public, patients; service users influence local health and social care services. Healthwatch will also include services for children and young people, previously excluded from the LINk remit, so will be looking at innovative ways to engage with children and young people.
PCP has been awarded 3 contracts to deliver Healthwatch in five areas; Durham, Stockton-on-Tees and Sunderland.
www.healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk
www.healthwatchstocktonontees.co.uk
