Government abandons plans to close Healthwatch England
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 03:20 · Archive
Health secretary Yvette Cooper has ditched plans to axe Healthwatch England, meaning Healthwatch York will continue operating.
Health secretary Yvette Cooper has abandoned plans to close Healthwatch England, reversing proposals announced last year by then health secretary Wes Streeting. Under those proposals, responsibility for gathering feedback on health services would have passed from Healthwatch York to the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, which also plans, funds and oversees local health services. Mr Streeting had argued there were 'way too many checkers and not enough doers' in the health system.
Cllr Lucy Steels-Walshaw, City of York Council's executive member for health, said the decision was 'an absolutely enormous victory for York'. She said: 'We fought for Healthwatch, we made our voices heard, and we've won.' Siân Balsom, Healthwatch York manager, said: 'This means that independent health and social care lived experience will continue to influence the quality and equality of care.' York Central MP Rachael Maskell, who had campaigned against the proposed closure, said: 'I am so glad that government has listened and taken action to ensure that this service will continue.'
How it is being reported
- ‘Enormous victory for York’ – council boss welcomes health watchdog being savedA leading councillor has hailed the government pulling plans to axe Healthwatch England “an absolutely enormous victory for York”.The Press (York) · 30 Oct, 20:00
- ‘Enormous victory for York’ – council boss welcomes health watchdog being savedA leading councillor has hailed the government pulling plans to axe Healthwatch England “an absolutely enormous victory for York”.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 30 Oct, 20:00
In this story: Healthwatch England · Yvette Cooper · Wes Streeting · York · Cllr Lucy Steels-Walshaw · Rachael Maskell
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