Healthwatch Bedford Borough (HBB) has appointed Aidan Vaughan as its new chair and is marking the occasion by taking bold steps to increase its visibility, accessibility, and community engagement.
To ensure more people across Bedford borough can connect with the organisation’s mission, to improve health and social care through the power of patient feedback, HBB is holding its strategic board meetings in public and at rotating venues throughout the borough each month.
The first of these open meetings will be the annual public meeting on Tuesday, 15 July 2025, hosted at St Cuthbert’s Hall.
Locals are invited to attend to learn more about HBB’s work, ask questions, and explore opportunities to volunteer and support improvements in local health and social care services.
Aidan Vaughan brings over 30 years of experience working across the NHS and the charity sector, including nearly a decade at Bedford Hospital.
On his appointment, he said: “I am honoured and fortunate to be joining Healthwatch Bedford Borough at this exciting time, as it develops a strong community volunteer base to work alongside health providers to deliver accessible, timely, high-quality, and safe services to the people of Bedford.
“Healthwatch can highlight areas for improvement and celebrate success and good practice, and I am delighted to contribute in a small way to this important work.”
As one of the smallest Healthwatch organisations in the UK, HBB plays a vital role in ensuring local voices are heard.
It acts as a bridge between patients and health providers, aiming to shape safer and more responsive services based on lived experience.
Residents are encouraged to attend upcoming board meetings, which will mostly be held on the third Wednesday of each month at venues around the borough.
Future meeting dates include:
- Wednesday, 20 August 2025
- Wednesday, 17 September 2025
- Wednesday, 15 October 2025
- Wednesday, 19 November 2025
- Wednesday, 10 December 2025 – Friends and Festive Event
- Wednesday, 21 January 2026
- Wednesday, 18 February 2026
You can find more information on Healthwatch Bedford Borough and how to get involved here.
