Help us save local Healthwatch and the independent patient voice.
The NHS 10 Year Health plan proposes to abolish Healthwatch England and 152 local Healthwatch, including Healthwatch Halton, and transfer functions ‘in-house’ to local authorities and NHS Integrated Care Boards once legislation has passed. This is a result of the Review of patient safety across the health and care landscape, led by Dr Penny Dash.
If this goes ahead as planned, it will remove the only collective, independent and statutory opportunity for the public to hold the NHS and social care system to account.
Given the Dash review’s aim of “greater emphasis being placed on the patient voice”, and the aim of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan to give greater power to patients, we cannot see how this can be achieved by abolishing local Healthwatch, which has worked for the last 12 years to amplify voices which otherwise may not be heard.
Proposals to bring public voice functions under the control of local authorities or NHS bodies threatens to compromise the impartiality, trust, and effectiveness of these initiatives. Having an opportunity to go to an independent service for advice, help, support or to raise concerns is paramount. Independence is not optional – it is essential for transparency, accountability, and meaningful change.
Instead of dismantling independence, we should be strengthening it.
Local Healthwatch petition
Local Healthwatch have put together a petition calling on the government to protect the independence of local voices in health and care and we ask for your support in signing it to keep our independent services that give the public a voice in NHS and Social Care.
Why losing local Healthwatch would matter
If local Healthwatch are abolished:
- No more truly independent watchdog – no one outside the system to hold decision-makers to account on your behalf
- Fewer voices heard – people who aren’t online or already face barriers to care will be excluded if feedback is gathered mainly via the NHS App
- Your whole story could be lost – with feedback split between NHS and council departments, no one will see the full picture of your experience
- Trust will be harder to build – some people won’t feel safe raising concerns directly with the services they rely on
This isn’t just about an office closing – it’s about removing a safeguard that protects patients and communities.
Local Healthwatch believe Government needs to:
- Invest in and strengthen the independent public voice.
- Engage with local Healthwatch leaders to co-design a future that puts people first.
- Recognise the role independent voices can play in supporting the three shifts outlined in the 10 year health plan– by providing constructive challenge and supporting coproduction, particularly with those communities facing the greatest health and care needs.
People need a voice in the future of health and care. This must stay independent.
“Without local Healthwatch, people in Halton, and right across England, would lose a trusted place to share their experiences and get help navigating health and care services. Our job is to make sure your voice reaches the people who can make changes, and to hold them to account when things aren’t working. This petition is about stopping that loss and protecting the public’s right to be heard.”
— Dave Wilson, Chief Officer, Healthwatch Halton
How You Can Help
- Sign the petition – it takes less than a minute, and every signature matters
- Share it – tell your friends, family, and networks across England
- Tell us your story – the more examples we have, the stronger the case for keeping Healthwatch
Let’s Keep Your Voice Strong – Sign and Share Today
Your health and care experiences should shape how services work – here in Halton, and in every community. Abolishing local Healthwatch will take away an essential way to make that happen.
