Each local authority with responsibility for social care is required to establish a Local Healthwatch for their area. Local Healthwatch is an independent organisation, which employs its own staff and involves volunteers, so that it can be the influential and effective voice of the public.
The aim of Local Healthwatch is to gather the views and experiences of people who use or may need to use health and social care services in the local area. It’s role is to give them a stronger voice so that they can influence and challenge how health and social care services are provided within their locality. Local Healthwatch also provides, or signposts people to, information to help them make choices about health and care services.