Healthwatch will operate at two levels:

• National level - Healthwatch England
• Local level - Local Healthwatch

Local Healthwatch will have three main roles:

1. Influencing - presenting the views and experiences of local service users to local managers and decision makers and be part of the decision making process on the local health and wellbeing board. It will also hold local providers to account by reporting on services and making recommendations.
2. Signposting - providing information to people to help them access health and social care services and make decisions about their care.
3. NHS complaints advocacy - providing advocacy for individuals making complaints about healthcare.

The influencing and signposting element will be delivered by Healthwatch North Yorkshire who will begin operating on 1 April 2013 replacing North Yorkshire LINk.

You can get involved with Healthwatch North Yorkshire from 1 April 2013 by visiting the Healthwatch North Yorkshire website. You can contact us by email: healthwatchny@nbforum.org.uk or telephone: 01904 621631.

Need assistance to complain about NHS services?

From 1 April 2013 the North Yorkshire NHS Complaints Advocacy Service will provide help for people who need assistance to complain about NHS services.

Visit the North Yorkshire NHS Complaints Advocacy Service website for more information. Alternatively you can contact the service by email: helpwithnhscomplaintsnorthyorks@cloverleaf-advocacy.co.uk or telephone: 0300 012 4212.