DoH explains local Healthwatch

5 March 2012

To help explain recent amendments to the Health and Social Care Bill about local Healthwatch, the Department of Health (DoH) has published a document, 'Local Healthwatch: A strong voice for people - the policy explained', to clarify the Government’s vision for local Healthwatch.

The document is aimed at all those with an interest in local Healthwatch organisations across the NHS and social care, including local authorities, local involvement networks, emerging health and wellbeing boards and the voluntary and community sectors.

The intention is for Healthwatch England to be established in October 2012 and for local Healthwatch organisations to start in April 2013.