A HEALTH champion will encourage people to have their say about health and social care services.

HealthWatch Kirklees is being introduced as part of the changes to the NHS going through parliament.

It will help people to have their say about health and social care services and goes live in April 2013.

The council is asking people in Kirklees what they want from HealthWatch before any decisions are made.

And there will be a public consultation and a short survey to get people’s views.

Clr Molly Walton, Cabinet Member for Health, Well-being and Communities, said: “HealthWatch will work with and listen to local people and capture their views and experiences of using health and social care services. “

A public meeting will take place from 4pm until 7pm on March 29 at Brian Jackson House, New North Parade, Huddersfield.

There will be two speakers to talk about the transformation of the NHS and they will be Dr Steve Ollerton, Chair of the Greater Huddersfield Clinical Commissioning Group, and Claire Troughton from the Public Health Team at NHS Kirklees. A further event will take place in April in North Kirklees.

While Kirklees Council has to set up and fund HealthWatch, it will be independent with a voice of its own.