Get involved in new West Yorkshire Voice to help influence health and care decisions

People and communities across the Wakefield District are invited to be part of a new network called ‘West Yorkshire Voice’ (making a difference in health and care).

This network will play an important role in influencing decision-making across West Yorkshire.

With already strong mechanisms in place to hear from people in Bradford District and Craven, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield District, West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership (WY HCP), want to build on this by giving people an opportunity to also take part in the work of the new West Yorkshire Voice.

WY HCP, which plans and delivers health and care services for people across the area, has asked West Yorkshire Healthwatch organisations, the independent health and care champions, to develop the new network.

West Yorkshire Voice will be a network made up of people, communities, organisations, local panels and groups from across the area. It aims to empower people to have their say about services and to put the voice of people at the heart of decision-making at a West Yorkshire level.

Working with existing and new networks across local areas, people and organisations who join West Yorkshire Voice will have the opportunity to influence decisions made by NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership Board about their health and care services.

Sharanjit Boughan, West Yorkshire Healthwatch said: “Ensuring diverse voices are heard from across the area is essential to help health and care services meet the needs of all our communities. We especially want to hear the voices of those who experience the greatest health inequalities and who we might not usually hear from. Please come forward and get involved”.

Cathy Elliott, Chair of the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board said: “As the independent champion for anyone using health and care services, Healthwatch is a key partner within WY HCP and ideally placed to do this essential work on our behalf. We really want to reach as many people as possible, so that we can make sure people’s feedback and experiences of local services are heard at the highest level. This is ultimately all about making the right decisions and ones that make a positive difference to everyone’s lives”.

Anyone interested in joining West Yorkshire Voice is asked to contact Healthwatch Wakefield or call Healthwatch Leeds on 0113 8980035 or email the coordinator of West Yorkshire Voice zobi@westyorkhirehealthwatch.co.uk

You can also find out more on the WY HCP website:  https://www.wypartnership.co.uk/wy-voice