Putting people and their views at the heart of health and well-being services will be pledged through the signing of a charter this week.

The aim is to publicly commit the district’s Health and Wellbeing Partnership and its member organisations to involve patients, service users and the wider community in health and well-being decisions that affect their lives.

It has been drawn up by the Health and Wellbeing Partnership and its members, including Bradford Council, local NHS organisations, the Voluntary Sector Forum, the Strategic Disability Partnership and the Local Involvement Network (LINk).

The charter forms part of Active Citizens 2011, a year-long celebration of the work of active citizens in the district, with April focusing on health and well-being.

Organisations will sign up to a list of principles which include: the opportunity for everyone affected by a decision to have their say; all organisations jointly consulting with residents wherever possible; involving people in a way that builds their confidence; being honest about the influence that residents have on decisions.

Simon Morritt, chief executive of NHS Bradford and Airedale and chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Partnership, said: “Patients’ experiences of using local NHS services are really important to us as this helps us make improvements or to know if a service is working really well.

“By formalising our commitment in this way, we can work even more effectively together in terms of involving people and listening to their views – this is a very positive step forward in making sure everyone has a stake in their health and well-being.”

  • Read the full story in Wednesday's T&A