A KNUTSFORD resident has taken over the helm at an east Cheshire patient group.

Patrick Heywood, of Balmoral Close, has been named the new chair of Eastern Cheshire HealthVoice, which is an advisory committee to NHS Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (ECCCG).

Patrick, who is also a governor at Wilmslow High School, officially took over the chair role at the most recent HealthVoice meeting, which was held at Macclesfield Town Hall on July 14.

The former business consultant said: “I’m delighted to be named as the new chair of HealthVoice. I’ve been involved since the beginning and I think it’s developed greatly in that time, but I think it’s still on a journey and I’m excited to be part of that.”

HealthVoice meetings take place every other month at locations across Eastern Cheshire, at which members are updated on the progress of the CCG, feed back on the work they’ve been doing and discuss how to best represent the views of patients in Eastern Cheshire.

But Patrick said that being a member of HealthVoice doesn’t necessarily entail attending meetings and Eastern Cheshire residents can be as involved as much or as little as they wish.

“Here is an outlet through which you can contribute to the future plans for healthcare in Eastern Cheshire, through the CCG,” said Patrick.

“Patients are at the heart of the NHS, which is why it’s important for people to make their views known and help shape how health services are planned locally.”

Patrick has said that one of the most important functions of HealthVoice going forward is to spread the message that people need to take responsibility for our own health if the NHS is to remain sustainable.

“We’re calling on patients to become more self-empowered and help the NHS, which they can do by self-caring when appropriate.”

For information about the next HealthVoice meeting visit echealthvoice.info or contact the CCG’s engagement manager Usman Nawaz via usman.nawaz@nhs.net or 01625 663 864.