Patients’ voice heard SIR – I must point out to Karl Dallas (Letters, January 27) that there has been patient voice in the NHS since Community Health Councils were abolished.
In 2003, this is when I became involved with Patient and Public Involvement Forums, then in 2008 they become Local Involvement Networks (LINks).
I’m still involved today in what was formed in April 2013, Healthwatch Bradford and District, which is the local consumer champion in health and care.
It has significant statutory powers to ensure the voice of the consumer is strengthened and heard by those who commission, deliver and regulate health and care services.
There are various people who sit on the Bradford and Airedale Health & Well Being Board and the most notable is that Healthwatch Bradford and District have a strategy place on it, meaning the voice of service users, carers and patients is heard loud and clear.
Emmerson Walgrove, formerly Chairman of Bradford LINk and now a board member of Healthwatch Bradford & District, Walmer Villas, Bradford
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