Government changes its decision to abolish local Healthwatch and Healthwatch England
Yvette Cooper MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said:
"Patients need a voice in our NHS. I’ve always been clear on the importance of people and communities having a say in local services and that’s why I said I would review all reforms in this area.
"We will retain Healthwatch England and Local Healthwatch, while strengthening them to ensure patient voices are heard and can influence real change across health and care services."
Until now, the Government had planned to transfer the functions of Healthwatch into NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and local councils, which led to widespread criticism of the potential for providers and systems to be in a position of 'marking their own homework' and of growing risk to the quality of care across health and social care systems.
If the plans had progressed, there would have been no independent way for people to influence health and social care in England for the first time in 50 years.
This announcement means you still have an independent place to turn to in Gloucestershire. You can share your experiences of health and social care, get advice and be sure someone is listening - particularly when things have gone wrong or your voice is not being heard.
Our response
"Today is a really important day for Healthwatch, and for the communities, staff and volunteers who make its work possible."At The Care Forum, we are delighted with the news that Healthwatch will continue and that the proposal to abolish it will not now go ahead."Over the past 18 months, there has been considerable uncertainty about the future of Healthwatch. Throughout that period, our staff and volunteers have continued to listen to people, support communities and make sure that their experiences of health and care services are heard by those with the power to make change."We want to say a huge thank you to every member of staff, every volunteer and every supporter who has stood with Healthwatch during this period."We also want to thank the communities, partners, campaigners and decision-makers who have spoken up for the importance of an independent patient and public voice."Today's news gives us an opportunity to look forward."There will undoubtedly be work ahead as Healthwatch develops for the future, but we welcome the opportunity to be part of that conversation. Our priority remains what it has always been: ensuring that people's experiences genuinely influence the services they rely upon."Most importantly, to everyone who continued to share their stories with us to shape services, who reached out to us for advice and information, or simply wished us well. Thank you."
