To be held on Friday, April 20
INDIVIDUALS and organisations in North East Lincolnshire are being given the chance to get involved in the formation of a new Local HealthWatch service.
Every local authority in England and Wales is required by the Department of Health to have a Local HealthWatch in place by April 2013. This new watchdog will strengthen the collective voice of local people in the shaping of health and social care, influencing local strategies and providing people with information and advice on accessing health and social care services.
Here in North East Lincolnshire, a consultation event will be held on Friday, April 20, at Grimsby Town Hall, for interested parties to get involved in defining the role and responsibilities of the new service.
Those who attend the event, which runs from 9.45am to 12pm, will discuss what good work is already being done, what could be done differently, and what issues need to be addressed in the area.
Places at the event are limited. If you would like to attend, please email mark.watson@nelincs.gov.uk or call (01472) 326421 by April 18.
Jack Blackmore, strategic director of people and communities at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “When the new Local Healthwatch service is up and running it will be the key driver of service provision and quality for our health and social care services. One of the central elements of this service will be to ensure that local people’s needs and experiences help shape local healthcare, so it is vital that we consult with the relevant parties from the outset.”