Sign our petition to save independent local services for patients

National Healthwatch public petition: please sign

We want to start by thanking you for your ongoing support for Healthwatch Brighton and Hove. We’ve been truly overwhelmed by your messages of support (scroll to the bottom to read some of these). Recently, we've heard from many people who are concerned that there will no longer be local, independent services representing and supporting patients and service users - something which has existed for over 50 years.

If this matters to you, please sign our petition and share it with family, friends and your communities. 

Click here to sign our petition

*Once you have signed, please remember to go to your email and confirm your signature; otherwise your support will not be counted.

What is our petition about?

• In June, the government published its NHS 10-Year Plan. We applaud the aim of the Plan to give greater power to patients but we also note that it said: “The problem is that the NHS doesn’t listen well enough”.
• The Plan also outlined proposals to abolish Healthwatch.
• We are concerned that these proposals will mean that local people will no longer be able to share their views independently. Under the proposals, Healthwatch functions will be transferred 'in-house' to the NHS and local authorities.
• The 10-Year Plan also places greater emphasis on capturing patient experiences via the NHS App, which we worry will exclude many people.
• You can read more about the government plans here.

Based on your feedback, our petition is asking the government to:

• Revisit its decision to abolish local independent services that speak up for the public.
• Consult with the public to codesign a service which meets their needs and supports the NHS to realise its ambitions.
• Invest in and strengthen independent services. 

Why independence is so important

Independence means that we can act when people feel they are not being listened to, or are not getting answers, as this recent quote demonstrates:

“Healthwatch has helped me personally on two occasions to access the correct medical provision when GPs have got it wrong. We need someone for our residents to go to, to push back and get the services they are entitled to.”  Member of the public in response to proposals

Independence also helps to achieve: 

• Public trust
• Transparency and accountability
• A driver for meaningful change
• External scrutiny of services through a patient lens
• Patient-focussed, evidenced-based recommendations to improve services.

We believe that independent representation for patients in health and social care is essential. 

What’s Next?

• The government’s proposals will require legislation, which takes time. We do not yet have a timeline.
• In the meantime, we remain operational and active, delivering our statutory duties and advocating for people across Brighton and Hove.

Independent local services

Local independent services are rooted in their communities. We think they are well placed to support the 10-Year Health Plan by offering constructive challenge and helping co-produce solutions with those with the greatest health and care needs.

We think trusted independent services that listen to local communities are essential to improving health and social care. We listen without fear or favour and reach those whose voices are often ignored.

Since it was created in 2012, Healthwatch Brighton and Hove has:

• Supported nearly 4,000 people through our helpline.
• Reviewed over 650 local and county-level services.
• Engaged 37,680 local people, including reaching health inclusion groups.
• Written and published 350 reports.
• Made nearly 1,800 workable recommendations with around three-quarters of those being actioned or responded to.
• Attended 8,000 meetings, including 1,100 Board-level meetings.
• Been nominated 5 times for the impact our work has had, with one national win and a further joint nomination with our local acute trust in a national customer service award.

At a time when patient trust in the NHS is sadly at an all-time low, instead of dismantling independence, we believe the government should be strengthening it to ensure that patients have a stronger voice. We also believe the public should be consulted about these proposals.

For more information, read our letter to the Secretary of State opposing the decision to abolish independent Healthwatch functions here.

You can also read a further press release here.

Feedback about plans to close Healthwatch

• “The service is an important part of the checks and balances for social care and health services. Your organisation’s record of influence is considerable.”
• “It is so short-sighted and the impact on people and communities will be significant.”
• “Healthwatch have been a hugely important partner completing much-needed work within our local systems and providing that crucial independent scrutiny.”
• “You have been vital to improving access to healthcare locally and your role, independence and track record in placing patients at the heart of your work will not be easily replaced.”
• “There are specific powers that Healthwatch have that can help shine a light on issues and concerns in the health and care sector. What will happen fill this vacuum?”
• “Taking away independent routes to raise issues will pose a risk to quality, safety and experience.”
• “The role you take advocating for patients and the public, both proactively and reactively, has been influential in decisions I have made and the direction we have steered.”
• “Will there be any objective checkers left when Healthwatch and other monitoring organisations are disbanded?”
• “Bad news for everyone to lose a service that can advocate, challenge and represent for the most vulnerable of us.”
• “I am quite worried about the prospect of you closing as we need an organisation that actively works to improve access to healthcare for people. The service you give us is a vital one.”