Our Advisory Board | Healthwatch Halton

ISAB Terms of Reference

More information on the role of the Independent Strategic Advisory Board (ISAB).

About our Independent Strategic Advisory Board (ISAB)

This group provides advice on:

Healthwatch priorities.
The Enter and View programme to monitor the quality of care.
Identifying key public concerns.
Community engagement activity.

They act as the voice of the people and make sure that Healthwatch Halton adheres to the core principles of; confidentiality, respect, feedback, transparency and influence.

The ISAB focuses on agreeing on the work programme and providing oversight to ensure the work programme is achieved as well as supporting with the promotion of Healthwatch Halton and collection of intelligence.

Healthwatch Halton's ISAB comprises of the following members.

Lydia Hughes - Chair

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.

Michelle Downes

I began my career working for Typetalk, the the National Telephone Relay Service for deaf people where I gained level one in sign language. I then served in the military as a police officer serving in the UK and overseas for ten years and have always enjoyed serving and helping the community. Continuing with my legal background my under grad and post grad degrees are both in law.

I very much live in a neurodiverse world with members of my family having disabilities. Due to being passionate and wanting to learn more about the world of special education needs and disabilities (SEND) I qualified with levels 1,2 and 3 in SEND law and subsequently volunteered to be an advisor with IPSEA - Independent provider of special education advice, to offer SEND law advice to parents/carers nationally.

I am the health parent/carer representative with Halton SEND parent/carer forum (HSPCF) and help to ensure parents/carers voices are heard and delivered to professional bodies across Halton. I am extremely passionate and dedicated to help improve health services in Halton especially for those with SEND, as they often face inequalities.

I am a director of Inclusivitee CIC, which provides SEND friendly activities in a safe and inclusive space. With an aim to ensure those with SEND feel accepted and a valued member of our community. I was excited that I was invited to join the Healthwatch Halton Advisory Board, as I am very motivated to try and help bring about change and improvement of health and social care services across Halton.

John Fagan

I am retired, married, and have three adult sons. I’ve lived in Runcorn since 1975 and, over the years, have often listened to friends, neighbours, and colleagues share their worries about our health service — particularly around long waiting times and difficulties getting appointments.

After completing a three-year tenure as a Board Member at Warrington and Halton Hospitals, I wanted to continue contributing to improving local health services. Having previously worked alongside Healthwatch members, I was encouraged by colleagues to apply to join the organisation.

Throughout my working life, I’ve been involved in customer service roles — by phone, email, and face-to-face — across a range of businesses.

I also volunteer in other community roles, including as a Room Guide at National Trust Speke Hall since 1995, and as an Independent Custody Visitor for Cheshire Constabulary, ensuring detainees are treated fairly and that their rights are upheld.

By being part of Healthwatch, I hope to help our community and health services continue to improve and provide the best possible care for local people.

Are you're interested in becoming an ambassador and champion for those using health and social care services in Halton. We're looking for more people to join our Independent Strategic Advisory Board (ISAB).

Apply to be a ISAB volunteer

Past Board papers

We make the papers for our public Board meetings available online. We also publish a summary of what was discussed. Check out our past meetings to read more.

Find out more