The future local champions for patients and the public have been given a £3.5m funding boost, Andrew Lansley has announced

The local bodies will give patients, members of the public, and carers a say over how their health service is run.

From next year, an additional £3.2m will be made available to local authorities to establish Local Healthwatch, the new local health bodies set to replace Local Involvement Networks.

An additional £370,000 will be made available until the end of the 2011/12 financial year for 75 pathfinders and can be used in any part of their development. This could include spreading best practice, engaging more in the community, and financially supporting volunteers.

Andrew Lansley said: “Local Healthwatch is a vital part of our plans to give people a stronger voice and drive improvements in health and social care services across the NHS.”

The local bodies will give patients, members of the public, and carers a say over how their health service is run. They are aimed at driving up local involvement in the community and ensuring patients understand the choices available to them in the NHS.

Following feedback from local authorities and local involvement networks, they now have until April 2013 to work with health experts and volunteers to get Healthwatch established.

http://www.practicebusiness.co.uk/news/1463/patient-champions-receive-funding-boost/