Labour government drops plan to scrap Oxfordshire health watchdog

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 16:20 · Archive

The Labour government has abandoned plans to close Healthwatch Oxfordshire as part of wider proposals to abolish Healthwatch England. The decision preserves six staff roles, six volunteers and seven trustee positions. Healthwatch Oxfordshire serves as the independent health and social care watchdog and statutory champion for people using care services in the county. It uses feedback to make suggestions to local services and holds them to account.

Under the NHS Modernisation Bill, the independent body would have been scrapped and replaced with a new patient experience directorate established by the Department of Health and Social Care. MPs argued this would result in the NHS and the Government 'effectively marking their own homework'.

Veronica Barry, executive director of Healthwatch Oxfordshire, said she is pleased that abolition plans have been withdrawn. She stated the organisation would continue its vital work listening to local people and amplifying their voices to help shape health and care services. She noted that across Oxfordshire there has been unanimous support for maintaining an independent voice in health and social care.

How it is being reported

• Plans to scrap Oxfordshire watchdog droppedPlans to scrap an Oxfordshire health watchdog have been dropped.Oxford Mail · 3 Nov, 16:00
• Plans to scrap Oxfordshire watchdog droppedPlans to scrap an Oxfordshire health watchdog have been dropped.Oxfordshire Guardian · 3 Nov, 16:00

In this story: Healthwatch Oxfordshire · Labour government · Healthwatch England · Veronica Barry · Department of Health and Social Care · Oxfordshire

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log