The Local Advisory Committee reviews issues relating to Healthwatch in detail and makes recommendations regarding this. It plays an important role in overseeing Healthwatch Tower Hamlet's strategic direction, monitoring and advising its progress against its work plan.
Our Chair
We are currently establishing a new Local Advisory Committee and a Chair will be appointed in due course. Please check back at a later date or email the office info@healthwatchtowerhamlets.co.uk for more information.
Our Local Advisory Committee
Leo D'Souza
Leo a passionate advocate for equitable, community-led health and social care services in Tower Hamlets. With a strong commitment to amplifying local voices—especially those from underserved, isolated and underrepresented communities. I work to ensure that services are responsive, inclusive, and accountable to the people who use them.
My background spans in Bio-Medical Engineering, public health services, social work, advocacy, bringing both lived and professional experience to the table.
In the voluntary sector Leo, is an adviser to Age UK/London, Vice Chair OPRG/AUKEL and member of the Resident Scrutiny Panel of Gateway Housing.
Jessica Chiu
Jessica is a local resident currently working in the digital health field. She has a background as a Clinical Lead of Wheel Chair services and is passionate about supporting positive change in Healthcare.
Shayma Elsheikh
Shayma, a Tower Hamlets resident, has worked as a Research Scientist specialising in expediting drug development against respiratory viruses. Currently pursuing an MSc in Health Data Analytics, her thesis delves into analysing observational data to explore the causal relationship between leisure time, physical exercise and long-term obesity risk. She is passionate about utilising statistical methods to inform evidence-based policy-making.
Catherine Moody
Catherine is a Tower Hamlets resident. She has a scientific background and cares about public health and social care. Until recently she worked for the UK Medical Research Council. Catherine brings a broad understanding of population health, prevention research and policy to the committee. Additionally, she also harbours a range of general skills including research and people management, peer review and communications.
Decision Making Processes
The Local Advisory Committee and staff make collaborative decisions about our work programme and priority areas. These include decisions such as which research studies and Enter & View visits to undertake each year.
Our decision making takes into account a number of factors including:
- issues identified from community feedback and intelligence
- understanding the views of under-represented groups e.g children and young people
- opportunities to make an impact
- alignment with the key priorities of our local authority and NHS partners
- gaps in our current insight and knowledge on an issue/service
- having a balanced work programme with consideration given to both health and social care issues
- wider strategic drivers
The Local Advisory Committee seek to provide full transparency in their decision making. Minutes of meetings can be requested by emailing info@healthwatchtowerhamlets.co.uk.
Each year we will update the website to highlight our key projects and reasons for choosing these priority areas. Please click on the pink 'Find out more' button below to access information about our current projects.
Your Voice in Health and Social Care (YVHSC) holds the contract for Healthwatch Lewisham. Their Board of Directors hold overall governance responsibility for the service. For further information on the Board visit the YVHSC website or email info@yvhsc.org.uk.
