Healthwatch Lead joins NHS Race and Health Observatory Advisory Group

We are delighted to announce that Alice Kunjappy-Clifton, Healthwatch Wokingham Borough and Healthwatch Reading Lead, has been appointed to the NHS Race and Health Observatory (RHO) Stakeholder Engagement Advisory Group.

This group brings together individuals from across the NHS and wider communities to

support the Observatory’s mission to address race and health inequalities.

The advisory group meets quarterly to help ensure the RHO’s work remains grounded in the lived experiences of patients, service users, and health and care staff.

A local voice in a national conversation

Alice’s involvement offers an opportunity to bring the perspectives of Berkshire West communities into national discussions. It’s a chance to share insights from local work, including:

• Health literacy challenges among South Asian women

• Oral health inequalities in deprived areas

• The need for better identification of young carers

• Engagement gaps in men’s health checks

These are issues that matter deeply to our communities, and this role provides a platform to ensure they are considered in wider policy and practice.

Alice Kunjappy Clifton said:

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Observatory’s work. It’s a privilege to learn from others and share what we’re seeing locally. I hope this helps strengthen the connection between national strategy and community realities.”

We look forward to seeing how this collaboration can help shape more inclusive and equitable health outcomes — both locally and nationally.