A GROUP that champions health and social care standards across west Cheshire has appointed a new chairman.

Healthwatch Cheshire West, an independent body that monitors services for the 330,000 residents in the area, has appointed Brendan Doyle as its first operational chairman.

He will lead a 10-strong committee of public, network and community representatives who scrutinise national and public health services.

The committee will work with the organisation’s staff team and executive directors – representing related organisations – to fulfil the Healthwatch CW aims and objectives.

Chairman of Vintage Blacon, a founder member of Amnesty International, North West and a former fulltime trade union official, Brendan will also become deputy chairman of CWAC’s Health and Wellbeing Board.

Mr Doyle, a former Cheshire County councillor, said: “I see Healthwatch CW as a totally independent, apolitical organisation with no conflict of interest and determined to improve services for all the people of this borough.

“We need to work extremely closely both with our communities and services in a way which will lead to the cooperation, understanding and respect of everyone concerned.”

Based at Cheshire Centre for Independent Living, in Northwich, Healthwatch CW monitors the experience of local services through engagement with the public and community organisations throughout west Cheshire.

It provides information and advice; supports people in the understanding and navigation of the NHS complaints system and monitors and scrutinises service provision through ‘enter and view’ programmes led by volunteers.