HEALTHWATCH will be taking opinions from the public on how to plan and improve local health and social care services in Gloucestershire.

Healthwatch, the independent consumer champion for health and social care, was set up last year following the introduction of the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

One of the organisation’s local branches has a seat on Gloucestershire’s Health and Wellbeing Board, which had its most recent sitting on Tuesday July 22.

This meeting is to be followed by a public meeting of the Healthwatch board to allow members of the public to have their say and learn more about the organisation.

It will be held from 1pm to 3pm in Stow-on-the-Wold’s library on Tuesday, July 29 and will focus on key areas of concern including ambulance response times, GP appointments and non-emergency patient transport services.

Healthwatch’s local branches report to Healthwatch England and ultimately the Care Quality Commission, meaning that concerns raised in local meetings can go on to affect the provision of healthcare across the country.

For further information on Healthwatch Gloucestershire and to find out how you can get more involved, please contact the Healthwatch team on 01452 504989, email info@healthwatchgloucestershire.co.uk or visit the Healthwatch Gloucestershire website at www.healthwatchgloucestershire.co.uk