|
Origins
Following a proposal to close Edward Bolitho House, a psycho- geriatric unit in Penzance, in the Spring of 1996, the concerted local campaign which ensued resulted in the reversal of the proposal.
One of the leading campaigners at that time talked with the then Mayor of Penzance, about the notion of forming a watchdog group to monitor all aspects of local NHS provision. The hope was that local people could work pro-actively with health planners rather than simply react to decisions already made.
Thus was the idea of Healthwatch born, and an inaugural meeting in January 1997 formally established the group.
The two original visionaries became active members of the Healthwatch committee. In the succeeding thirteen years, Healthwatch has become widely recognised, and respected not only by the local community and its leaders, but also by health managers and professionals, politicians locally and nationwide; and its opinions on health issues are frequently sought.
|
