Residents urged to take part in a consultation to find out how needs can be met.

Residents in Devon are being asked to give their views on their experiences of health and social care in the region as part of proposals to reform services.

Devon HealthWatch is being commissioned by Devon County Council as part of the process and residents are being asked to comment on how health and social care needs can be met.

The government’s health and social care bill will alter the way health and social care services are delivered by transferring responsibilities from the NHS to local government.

A new independent consumer champion group will be set up to act as a watchdog in their local areas.

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council’s lead member for health and chairman of the shadow health and wellbeing board, said: “Devon’s HealthWatch will ensure that the views and feedback from patients and carers are an integral part of local commissioning across health and social care.

“As part of its role, this independent watchdog will provide advocacy and support, helping people access and make choices about services, and supporting individuals who want to make a complaint, and could, for example, help support people who lack the means or capacity to make choices, by helping them choose which doctor to register with.

“We want to make sure that our local HealthWatch is as effective as it can be for Devon’s residents, so we’re asking people to let us have their views on their experiences of health and social care, and how future services can best meet their needs, by filling in our survey.”

HealthWatch will have a seat on the new Health and Wellbeing Board, which will be set up in April 2013, and will ensure the views and experiences of patients, carers, and other service users are taken into account when local needs assessments and strategies are prepared.

To take part in the consultation call 0845 155 1015.