Our letter to the Secretary of State opposing the decision to abolish independent Healthwatch functions
Our letter is in response to the announcement made on 27th June and confirmed by the NHS 10 Year Health plan, to abolish Healthwatch England and 152 local Healthwatch. The proposals outline that our functions will transfer ‘in-house’ to local authorities and NHS Integrated Care Boards once legislation has passed (which will not be immediate). This is a result of the Review of patient safety across the health and care landscape, led by Dr Penny Dash.
The letter, which to date has been signed by 131 Healthwatch Chief Officers/Chairs - representing 86% of the national network - warns that the proposed changes would seriously compromise the independence that makes public feedback effective and trusted.
Local Healthwatch was established by the Health and Care Act 2012, with statutory powers to put people at the heart of health and social care design and delivery. For nearly 13 years, Healthwatch Brighton and Hove has used its independence to serve as a trusted, impartial voice for members of the public, carers, and communities. During that time we have engaged nearly 38,000 people, written and published 350 reports containing nearly 1,800 recommendations and helped almost 4,000 people through our helpline.
Whilst we welcome plans to strengthen the local authority and health providers’ role in engaging with local communities, we are concerned that independent representation for local people will be lost.
If these proposals are enacted, it will mark the end of independent statutory services which have existed since 1974 to act on behalf of local people and to give them a strong voice across a complex and often impenetrable health and social care services landscape. Similar services were first created 51 years ago, with the launch of Community Health Councils (CHCs). The plans to abolish this independent route for people to feedback risks taking a step backwards.