A NEW patient watchdog that has struggled to fill places on its board will be discussed at a scrutiny meeting today.

Rosalind Pearce, the director of Healthwatch Oxfordshire, will update Oxfordshire’s joint health overview and scrutiny committee about the group.

The watchdog, which formed in April, represents patients and has the power to call in and demand answers from health and social care bosses.

However, although most its first board was elected in July, four posts remain vacant because not enough people stood for election.

The overview and scrutiny committee will also receive an update from the medical director of the GP-led Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG).

Members of OCCG, mental health provider Oxford Health and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the county’s hospitals, will then explain to the committee how each is responding to the recommendations made following the failings of Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Dr Jonathan McWilliam, director of public health, will also provide updates.

The meeting is at County Hall, Oxford from 10am. Members of the public can attend.