In July 2010, the government announced plans to set up an independent champion for health and social care consumers called HealthWatch England.
Under the proposals, local involvement networks (LINks) will become local HealthWatch organisations.
The proposals were published as part of the white paper Equality and excellence: liberating the NHS, the consultation for which finishes on 5 October 2010.
Local people are encouraged to have their say on the role of HealthWatch and other aspects of the white paper proposals.
To find out more, download the white paper and other documents, see Liberating the NHS on the Department of Health website.
You can submit your views in writing to:
White Paper Team
Room 601
Department of Health
79 Whitehall
London SW1A 2NS
or email nhswhitepaper@dh.gsi.gov.uk
