Lydia Hughes confirmed as new Chair of Healthwatch Halton

Lydia Hughes has been appointed as the new Chair of Healthwatch Halton, the independent patient champion for people who use health and social care.

Lydia will take up the role to lead Healthwatch Halton to ensure decision makers and the NHS hear the public voice and use their experiences to improve care for residents of Halton Borough.  

Lydia has over 30 years’ experience across the private, public and voluntary sectors. Lydia has held senior roles in social care services, including CEO of Healthwatch Warrington, Director of Operations and Service Development for a Homelessness Charity and CEO for a Domestic Abuse Charity in Greater Manchester.

Lydia is qualified Level 7 in Leadership and Housing Practitioner, Level 5 Business & Management & Domestic and Sexual Violence. She created her own Reflexology and holistic business and in September 2022 joined the Board as Director/Trustee of a Domestic Abuse Charity in Berkshire.

Lydia is passionate about empowering people & believes in quality person-centered services.

Speaking of her appointment, Lydia Hughes said:

"I feel very privileged to take on the role of Chair of Healthwatch Halton at this critical time for our health and care services, focusing on the big issues that concern the public and the communities that experience severe health inequalities."

Elizabeth Learoyd, Managing Director at ECS said:

“We are delighted to welcome Lydia Hughes as Chair to the Healthwatch Halton Board. Engaging Communities has delivered Healthwatch Halton for over 5 years and we recently secured our contract for a further 5 years. Having been led by Kath Parker, our outgoing Chair who has made an outstanding contribution, we are keen to ensure we continue the great work, engagement and maximise the impact we have locally. I want to thank Kath Parker for her time, commitment and dedication as outgoing Chair and to welcome Lydia who officially joined the board on 1 December. 

I look forward to working closely with her and the wider Board to drive improvements across health and social care.”