Health and social care champion launches in Waltham Forest

The borough’s new consumer champion for health and social care launched on Wednesday and now begins the process of recruiting board members.

The launch, at Walthamstow Assembly Hall, saw 150 local residents and organisations attend to hear about the work Healthwatch Waltham Forest (HWWF) will be doing in the community and to sign up for membership and volunteering opportunities.

HWWF manager Jaime Walsh said: “The day was a success and we met lots of locals who expressed an interest in joining HWWF.

“We will be following up with all those who attended and will shortly begin the process of recruiting board members.

“Together we can make the opinions of residents, on health and social care services in Waltham Forest, heard by those commissioning the services and thereby make a real improvement locally.”

HWWF enables locals to voice praise or criticism for a local health or social care service and passes views on to the right people.

The organisation will also influence how services are set up and commissioned, and has the power to ‘enter and view’ services.

The government transferred public health responsibilities to councils earlier this year.