A group which helps people have their say on health and social care has celebrated its first anniversary.

Healthwatch Bradford and District celebrated with a cake at an event in the city which put NHS organisations on the spot over GP services in the district.

Almost 100 people were able to ask Clinical Commissioning Groups and NHS England what is being done to improve people’s experiences of GP services.

Earlier this year Healthwatch published a report, Invisible at the Desk, which showed that although many people received good clinical care from their GP there was wide variation in standards across the area.

Javed Khan, chairman of the Healthwatch board, said: “After our first year, Healthwatch Bradford and District is in a strong position to call on health and social care providers to make positive changes for patients, service users and carers across our district.

“It was great to see so many members of the public there and actively participating. It was a really good mix of people with representation from all parts of our communities.

“Our local Clinical Commissioning Groups and NHS England fielded a strong panel of senior managers and clinicians, indicating that Healthwatch is seen as a force to be reckoned with and that they need to come along and respond to patient opinion.”