Healthwaytch Bury is one of 148 local Healthwatch across England. We are a consumer champion for health and social care that aims to ensure the voices of users of health and social care reach the ears of decision makers. The statutory role and functions of Healthwatch are laid down in the health and Social Care Act 2012 but each local area has discretion about how they deliver their services.
Healthwatch is the 'national consumer champion in health and social care' and has been given significant statutory powers to ensure the voice of the consumer is strengthened by those who commission, deliver and regulate health and care services and has a remit of ensuring that the public has a voice in the quality and provision of their local health and social care sevices.
Healthwatch bury is a Community Interest Company led by a Board of Directors. It is an independent organisation that gives the people of Bury a voice to improve, shape and get the best from the health and social care services. As a local Healthwatch we need to collect intelligence and insight to help provide Healthwatch England and local services providers views on the standards of provision in Bury and how they could be improved.
We have specific powers to:
The role of Healthwatch Bury representative on the HWBB is to provide an effective, credible and influential voice for service users and enables Healthwatch Bury to present evidence based views, ensuring that the views and experiences of patients, carers and other service users are taken into account when local needs assessments and strategies are prepared.
Healthwatch Bury can also ask Healthwatch England to advise the Care Quality Commission about any special reviews or investigations which it considers may be required.
