The Health Bill - Healthwatch response

Responding to the new Health Bill, Chris McCann, Healthwatch England's Acting Director said: 
"It is welcome that the Health Bill includes proposals to introduce a single patient record, with government drawing on Healthwatch England evidence about the problems patients face with incorrect and fragmented records.

"For too long, patients have told us of their frustration when different parts of the NHS don’t have a full picture of all their records or history. This forces many to have to repeat their story many times to different professionals.

"There will, however, be hurdles ahead on winning full public confidence. These include questions on which professionals or bodies will be able to see and use the data, and for what purposes.  

"The Bill confirms government plans to transfer the statutory functions of Healthwatch England into the Department for Health and Social Care. It also transfers the functions of the network of 153 local Healthwatch into the bodies that plan and fund health and social care services – integrated care boards and local authorities.

"Until legislation passes, Healthwatch staff and volunteers across England remain committed to fulfilling their statutory duties to amplify the experiences of service users, especially those experiencing the greatest inequalities.

"As we noted in our annual report in March, we have recommended six tried and tested principles to follow if the government is to realise its ambitions to strengthen patient voice."

The Health Bill aims to be an integral to the governments investment and modernisation agenda to improve patient care. The UK government says the bill aims to: 

• improve patient safety and experience through a new single patient record, enabling joined-up, proactive care and empowering patients
• put power and resources in the hands of frontline NHS organisations by abolishing NHS England and stripping back national bureaucracy
• clarify the role of local health bodies, giving them real flexibility to design and deliver health services to best meet the needs of their local populations

View more at: Health Bill - GOV.UK