Disability rights expert takes up role with health and social care consumer champion
Chief Executive of Disability Rights UK, Liz Sayce, has been appointed to the committee of Healthwatch England to help represent the views of patients, care users and the public at a national level.
Liz is one of six new committee members joining Healthwatch England, and will be looking to build on the strong foundations laid by the outgoing transitionary members who have seen the Healthwatch network through its first year.
The new appointees bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience in understanding people’s everyday experiences of health and social care as well as the challenges faced by local Healthwatch in driving change at a local level.
Liz has a background in disability and mental health policy. She is Chief Executive of Disability Rights UK and a Commissioner at the UK Commission for Employment and Skills. Her previous roles include Director of Policy and Communications at the Disability Rights Commission and Policy Director of Mind.
She has led an independent review on disabled people’s employment, a formal investigation into health inequalities experienced by disabled people and a ‘disability agenda’, setting new policy directions in disability rights. With personal experience and knowledge of mental health issues, she has published widely on mental health, disability and social inclusion, including From Psychiatric Patient to Citizen (Macmillan-Palgrave 2000).
Anna Bradley, Chair of Healthwatch England, said:
“Liz has been an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities for many years, giving those who often go unheard a strong voice in how their health and social care services are designed and delivered.
“She brings with her a wealth of experience, particularly in reaching out to those coping with mental health conditions, and will be huge asset to the Healthwatch England committee in helping to drive change at a national level.”
If you would like to request an interview with Liz Sayce about her appointment please contact our Media Manager, Jacob Lant, via email jacob.lant@healthwatch.co.uk or phone on 020 7972 1751 / 07768 648 128.
Notes to editors:
About Healthwatch England
Healthwatch England is the independent consumer champion for health and social care in England. The organisation has independent statutory powers, as stated in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, to ensure the consumers’ voice is heard and best practice is delivered in health and social care nationally. Healthwatch is also focused on providing leadership, guidance and support to the development of the network of 148 local Healthwatch that launched in April 2013. To find out more please go to www.healthwatch.co.uk
You can also view biographies of all six new committee members at http://disabilityrightsuk.org/sites/default/files/word/HeathwatchCommittee.doc