HealthWatch is set to become the new independent voice and consumer champion for patients, service users and the public in health and adult social care, replacing the Oxfordshire Local Involvement Networks (LINks).

HealthWatch will exist locally as Local HealthWatch, and nationally as HealthWatch England. The Council has a responsibility to ensure that Oxfordshire has its own Local HealthWatch, which will launch in October 2012. LINks will operate until then.

Important role

With a seat on the new Health and Wellbeing Board, Local HealthWatch will ensure that the views and experiences of patients, carers and other service users are taken into account when local needs assessments and strategies are prepared, giving it an important role in promoting and improving public health, and tackling health inequalities.

Local HealthWatch will engage more adults, young people and children in planning and checking health and social care services, and enable them to challenge and influence decisions about their provision.

Have your say in Oxfordshire

We have now held several events with children, young people and adults across Oxfordshire to discuss how Local HealthWatch could work best for Oxfordshire.

Our questionnaire has now closed also. We would like to thank all those who have participated in our Local HealthWatch activities so far.

The discussion document summarises what we have heard so far and where discussions are taking us. It also poses further questions.

We would like to hear your responses to the document, plus any comments or questions you may have on Local HealthWatch. These will be used to further develop Local HealthWatch in Oxfordshire.

Please respond by Monday 16 January by:

• emailing lisa.gregory@oxfordshire.gov.uk
• post to Lisa Gregory, Strategy & Performance, 4th Floor, County Hall, New Road, Oxford, OX1 1ND
• telephone 01865 323604

Further information

For more information contact Lisa Gregory in the Engagement Team
at lisa.gregory@oxfordshire.gov.uk or on 01865 323604.