New health and social care watchdog launches in Haringey

Almost 100 people attended the launch of Healthwatch Haringey, an independent consumer body created to gather and represent the views of the public on health and social care services.

It is designed to give a voice to patients, service users and the wider public to influence and challenge the healthcare decisions being made in Haringey.

It is run and led by Haringey Citizen’s Advice Bureau with support from Haringey Race and Equality Council.

The launch event saw a keynote address from Dr Katherine Rake, chief executive of Healthwatch England, who said afterwards: “The team have been doing a fantastic job in Haringey, however they cannot do it alone. They need local residents, both young and old, to come and share their experiences so that the energy and enthusiasm of Healthwatch and its volunteers can be used effectively to meet the challenges ahead in health and social care.”

Sharon Grant, Healthatch Haringey’s interim chairman, said: “We were encouraged and very pleased with the turnout and quality of contributions from those in attendance. In the past the voice of local people has too often been missing when it comes to the way in which health care and social support services are run. The launch event enabled us to take another step forward in our mission to change that.”