RESIDENTS in the Tavistock area are being encouraged to join a new health and social care watchdog.

An open meeting has been arranged to explain how the public's voice will be heard on how the NHS and social services are run after the large-scale changes of the Health and Social Care Act came into force on April 1.

As part of the reorganisation, Healthwatch, an independent champion of the users of health and social services, has been established at a local and national level.

In Devon, Healthwatch will be developed by three organisations with strong connections to the grassroots: the Community Council of Devon (the charity that advises and supports rural communities), Devon Senior Voice (DSV), the voluntary forum for the over-50s that has more than 2,000 members in 19 branches across the county, and CAB Devon.

Mike Dennis, of Tavistock and Area Senior Voice. the local branch of DSV, said: 'Membership of Healthwatch Devon is free and open to everyone – young, middle-aged and old alike – which will help to give us a powerful collective voice.

'We will act as an independent monitor and "critical friend" with statutory backing, with the power to require health and care organisations to respond to concerns within 20 days, and we may enter and view services in hospitals, surgeries and care homes.

'Healthwatch Devon will also sit on Devon County Council's newly formed Health and Wellbeing Board, alongside health and care professionals and policy makers, to draw on the evidence of people's real experiences to help how services are set up and commissioned.

'We are determined to show that Healthwatch Devon will grow into a watchdog with real teeth.'

The public meeting to explain the new arrangements, and to discover how everyone can be involved, will take place at the Anchorage Centre in Chapel Street, Tavistock (adjacent to the bus station) on Tuesday, April 16, starting at 10am.

For further information, contact Sally Lougher on 01803 732678 or email [email protected]">[email protected]