A health watchdog consisting of a partnership between Newham Council and the NHS has been launched in the borough.

Newham Healthwatch is one of 75 new Local HealthWatch organisations and will promote and support the involvement of residents in health and social care. It means that local people will be able to put decisions made by the council and Newham-based NHS bodies under the spotlight.

Councillor Joy Laguda, Newham Council’s executive member for Older People and Adults, said: “The borough’s patients are at the heart of our health service and listening to their views is crucial to helping us to improve the service we provide.

“Newham HealthWatch will encourage local involvement in the community and ensure patients understand the choices available to them. It will give both patients and carers a voice about how local services are run.”

The new organisation is the result of a joint bid between Newham Council and Newham Local Involvement Network (LINK). More will be rolled out across the country from October next year as part of the Government’s planned NHS reforms.

In the past, Newham LINK has carried out a number of consultations with residents including breast cancer awareness and care at home.

Sahdia Warraich, Director of the host agency of the Newham LINk said: “We are really pleased that Newham LINk has achieved pathfinder status and look forward to working with the Council to establish HealthWatch in Newham”.