Clinical senates have been established to be a source of independent, strategic advice and guidance to commissioners and other stakeholders to assist them to make the best decisions about healthcare for the populations they represent.

They are made up of a core Clinical Senate Council and a wider Clinical Senate Assembly or Forum.

The Clinical Senate Assembly or Forum is a diverse multi-professional forum providing the Council with ready access to experts from a broad range of health and care professions and patient representatives.

The Clinical Senate Council is a small multi-professional steering group. This group co-ordinates and manages the Senate’s business. It maintains a strategic overview across the region and is responsible for the formulation and provision of advice working with the broader Senate Assembly or Forum.

There are 12 Clinical Senates across England of which two run in the South West:

• South West
• Wessex