Healthwatch Brighton and Hove submits evidence to the Health Bill Committee

Call for evidence 

The House of Commons Committee issued a written call for evidence in early June from anyone with relevant expertise and experience or a special interest in the Health Bill, which is currently passing through Parliament. Healthwatch submitted evidence which you can read below.

The Health Bill contains changes which would abolish Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations, including here in Brighton and Hove. Responsibility for listening to people's experiences and helping shape improvements in care would instead move to NHS organisations responsible for planning and funding local healthcare, and to local councils. 

Our evidence explores the impacts of the proposed changes on local people and suggests that the Committee could instead recommend that a full review of the patient and user landscape be conducted, supported by a public consultation, a crucial element that was missing from the review carried out by Dr Penny Dash. Other organisations have also submitted written evidence which you can read here.

The proposals will continue to be debated in Parliament and we will keep you updated on its progress.