There is a new face at the helm of Healthwatch Cornwall, and Debbie Gilbert says her new job really does ‘feel like coming home’.

Debbie grew up in historic Walsingham Place in Truro and as the recently appointed CEO of Healthwatch Cornwall, that’s where ‘proud Cornish woman’ Debbie is now based.

“My parents ran their business from number one, where we lived, and Healthwatch Cornwall offices are at number six,” she said. “I couldn’t wish for a better location or a more exciting role.”

Part of a network of more than 150 local Healthwatch across the country, Healthwatch Cornwall was first launched in 2013.

“Staff and volunteers at Healthwatch Cornwall do an amazing job and I feel very privileged to be joining them,” said Debbie.  “Our role is to give every resident a voice in local health and social care planning – including those in harder to reach groups.”

In addition to Debbie, four new non-executive directors have joined the Healthwatch Cornwall board: Mike Wall, Dr Clive Acraman, Richard Williams and Dr Keith Judkins.

• For more information, visit www.healthwatchcornwall.co.uk