New public health watchdog to represent patients (From Haringey Independent)

New Haringey borough health watchdog contract agreed

11:20am Thursday 14th March 2013 in News By Bruce Thain

A new organisation has been created to represent the views of patients and residents on public health in Haringey.

Haringey Citizens Advice Bureau and Haringey Race and Equality Council have been awarded the contract to run Healthwatch Haringey.

Healthwatch Haringey will replace Local Involvement Networks, and will aim to represent the community on health and social care in the borough.

Responsibility for public health in the borough will pass to Haringey Council in April, and  Healthwatch will act as an advocate for patients, reporting to the authority and supporting patients should something go wrong.

Haringey Council's deputy director for adult services Lisa Redfearn said: “People trust the Citizen's Advice Bureau's independence and impartiality, and the Race and Equality Council have practical grassroots experience of local equality and diversity work.

“We are confident these organisations will be complimentary in meeting the aim of building an engaging and inclusive healthwatch service for residents and they will provide a service Haringey can be proud of.”