ANYBODY interested in getting their voice heard on the provision of care and health services in the Tavistock area is invited to attend a public meeting in Tavistock this month.

The focus of the event will be on the role of Healthwatch, the new independent consumer watchdog for health and social care, established at a local and national level as part of the reorganisation of the NHS and social services.

We in Devon Senior Voice (DSV), the voluntary forum for the over-50s that has more than 2,000 members in 19 branches across the county, are joining forces with the Community Council of Devon (the charity that advises and supports rural communities), CAB Devon and patient participation groups to develop Healthwatch Devon.

Membership of Healthwatch is free and open to everyone — young, middle-aged and old alike — which will give the organisation a powerful collective voice. As an independent monitor and 'critical friend' with statutory backing, it has the power to require organisations to respond to concerns within 20 days, and it may enter and view services in hospitals, surgeries and care homes.

Healthwatch Devon will 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.

To enable people of the Tavistock district to learn more about the new arrangements, and to discover how we can all be involved, Tavistock and Area Senior Voice (the local branch of DSV) is to hold an open public meeting at the Anchorage Centre in Chapel Street, Tavistock (adjacent to the bus station) on Tuesday 16 April, starting at 10am.

We are determined to show that Healthwatch Devon will grow into a watchdog with real teeth. We look forward to seeing you.

Mike Dennis

Committee member

Tavistock and Area Senior Voice