Healthwatch gives the public a voice – our independent services are needed now more than ever
The NHS 10 Year Health plan proposes to abolish Healthwatch England and 152 local Healthwatch, and transfer functions ‘in-house’ to local authorities and NHS Integrated Care Boards once legislation has passed. It comes at a time of great change within the NHS and local government – when an independent voice for patients and residents is needed now more than ever.
The proposal to abolish Healthwatch is a result of the Review of patient safety across the health and care landscape, led by Dr Penny Dash. If this goes ahead as planned, it will remove the only collective, independent and statutory opportunity for the public to hold the NHS and social care system to account.
Given the Dash review’s aim of “greater emphasis being placed on the patient voice”, and the aim of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan to give greater power to patients, we cannot see how this can be achieved by abolishing local Healthwatch. We have worked for the last 12 years to amplify voices which otherwise may not be heard and there has been a statutory provision of an independent service representing the public for over 50 years.
Proposals to bring our functions under the control of local authorities or NHS bodies threatens to compromise impartiality, trust, and effectiveness. Having an opportunity to go to an independent service for advice, help, support or to raise concerns is paramount. Independence is not optional – it is essential for transparency, accountability, and meaningful change.
Instead of dismantling independence, we should be strengthening it.
Protect and strengthen independence
Local Healthwatch have put together a petition calling on the government to protect the independence of local voices in health and care and we ask for your support in signing it.
Why is Healthwatch important?
We act as an independent, critical friend
Working constructively with local stakeholders, but always with the freedom to raise concerns without fear or favour. Services can’t be held to account by the same bodies that fund or manage them. Independence is essential for honest feedback and meaningful scrutiny.
We amplify the collective voices of people at risk of health inequalities
Speaking to people experiencing health inequalities and asking about the barriers to accessing services. The new plan relies heavily on individuals feeding back to the services they use. Listening to communities is essential to the successful delivery of services.
We are driven by communities
We act based on what people with lived experience say, with no other taskmaster or agenda. We are designed to be owned and governed by communities with their best interest at heart.
We are independent, trusted, and impartial
People want an independent service because they often lack trust and fear repercussions sharing their feedback direct with those providing their care. They find provider feedback routes difficult to navigate or have shared in the past and feel that they have not been heard.
People need a voice in the future of health and care. This must stay independent.
Want to do more?
Tell us why you are against abolishing Healthwatch. If you are a have an extra minute to spare, please add your comment anonymously.
We are gathering this to understand the level of support for us and to help shape our next steps. We may use any feedback received as part of our work to try and maintain an independent service in the health and care system.
Share what you value about your local Healthwatch.
