Establishing local Healthwatch: introduction and the local authority role

Establishing local Healthwatch (LHW) is a series of briefings produced by the LGA to assist local authorities and their partners in local communities and the NHS to support the commissioning, setting up and early development of local Healthwatch. The briefings are intended as a general introduction to what is involved and a brief summary of issues and questions which local authorities and others may wish to consider.

This briefing provides an introduction to the legislative context for the creation of Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch.