What the Dash review means for Healthwatch – and why we’re still here
The change isn’t law yet. And until it is, we’re still here – listening to local people and making sure their experiences help shape health and care decisions. Here’s what the Dash Review says, and what it could mean for you.
🔍 What is the Dash Review?
The Dash review, published by the Department of Health and Social Care, looked at how patient safety is managed across the health and care system – and how people’s voices are heard when things go wrong.
One of its headline recommendations is to abolish all local Healthwatch across England and transfer our functions to local authorities and NHS teams.
🗣️ What does Healthwatch Halton do?
We’re your independent local champion for health and care. We listen to what matters to you – and we make sure the people in charge hear it.
Every week, we’re out and about in the community – listening to people’s experiences of services and working with community groups and organisations across Halton.
We speak with people who might never fill in a survey or attend a meeting – but who still have something important to say.
They talk, and we listen – then share their experiences directly with decision-makers.
This work can’t be replaced by an app or a centralised team. It relies on local relationships, independence, and trust.
⚖️ What’s happening now?
The Government has accepted the Dash Review's recommendations, including the proposal to scrap local Healthwatch organisations.
But this change has not happened yet.
Healthwatch was established by the Health and Social Care Act 2012, which means the decision would need to go through legislation – and that takes time.
So for now, it’s business as usual. We’re still doing what we’ve always done: bringing the voices of local people into the heart of health and care decisions in Halton.
❗Why this could affect you
The review suggests that our role could be absorbed by NHS and council teams. But there’s currently no clear plan or funding for how that would work – and no evidence that these teams could replicate what Healthwatch does.
Without a strong, independent voice like ours:
- People’s lived experiences may go unheard
- Decisions could be made using data, not real-life stories
- Vulnerable groups may struggle to have their needs recognised
👀 What happens next?
We’ll continue to update you as more details emerge.
For now, please know that we’re still here, still listening, and still working hard to make sure your voice is heard where it matters.
📩 If you'd like to stay informed:
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