A NEW watchdog is still searching for people to join a board that will hold health and social care bosses to account.

Healthwatch Oxfordshire formed earlier this year four posts remain vacant because not enough people stood for election.

Nearly five months later it is searching for people to fill the following posts; board member for children and young people; BME (black and minority ethnic) and diversity; carers and learning disabilities. Healthwatch Oxfordshire aims to be the public’s champion and has the power to demand answers from health and social care bosses.

Director Rosalind Pearce said: “If you are interested and have experience of those areas this is a great opportunity to get involved in something new.

“Healthwatch is about listening to the population – what their wants and concerns are, and how they want their health and social services delivered.

“For board members, it is about having an understanding of a particularly area of health and social care provision and commissioning and having the opportunity to influence that.”

Nine people were elected to the board earlier this month, including members of Healthwatch’s predecessor, Oxfordshire LINk.

The board will help determine Healthwatch’s strategic and priorities over the next 12 months and beyond.