PEOPLE are being invited to shape Bolton’s health.

By April next year, the council must set up Healthwatch in Bolton, and is looking to the public, along with organisations involved in health and wellbeing services, to help them identify priorities.

Healthwatch aims to provide information to the public about health and social care services, obtain people’s views about their health care needs, listen to their experience of care services; and encourage people to become involved in the monitoring and commissioning of the services.

People who take part will need to complete online survey.

There will also be a consultation event at Bolton Town Hall on Thursday, July 5, from 9.30am to 12.30pm, for the public and those working in health and wellbeing services, including the voluntary sector, public sector and private businesses.

Cllr Linda Thomas, Bolton Council’s deputy leader and Cabinet member for health, said: “The Government has tasked Bolton to set up a local Healthwatch and there is flexibility around how we make this work for our town.

“With that in mind, we are encouraging people to share their views and help define what is needed for Bolton, as ultimately this is an organisation that will help improve services for our residents.

“The survey only takes a few minutes and people’s responses will be taken on board.”

Anyone interested in attending the consultation event, should contact Carol Street on 01204 337245 or email carol.street@ bolton.gov.uk.

The survey can be filled in at bolton.gov.uk/ Healthwatchsurvey.