Health watchdog services saved after government reverses closure plans

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 20:57 · Archive

The government has reversed plans to abolish Healthwatch England and local watchdog branches after facing criticism.

The government has reversed plans to abolish Healthwatch England and its 153 local branches, each serving different areas including York and Leeds. Health Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the services will be retained and strengthened to ensure patient voices influence health and care services.

The original proposals, announced by previous health secretary Wes Streeting, would have transferred responsibility for gathering patient feedback from independent Healthwatch organisations to NHS integrated care boards. Streeting had said there were 'way too many checkers and not enough doers' in the health system.

Healthwatch leaders welcomed the announcement. Siân Balsom, Healthwatch York manager, said the decision means 'independent health and social care lived experience will continue to influence the quality and equality of care'. The co-chairs of Healthwatch Leeds said they were 'proud to keep that independence' and thanked those who backed the campaign, including local politicians and health partners.

Ms Cooper said the government would 'strengthen' the watchdog services 'to ensure patient voices are heard and can influence real change'. The reversal ends months of uncertainty for local Healthwatch groups, which have operated since 2012 and help people share their experiences of NHS services.

How it is being reported

• Healthwatch Leeds saved as government reverses plan to scrap independent watchdogsAn independent health watchdog has avoided being scrapped after a government decision was reversed.York Press · 29 Oct, 16:07
• ‘We are so pleased’ – York health watchdog service saved after government U-turnHealthwatch York has been saved after the government dropped plans to axe the independent watchdog service.The Press (York) · 28 Oct, 15:00

In this story: Yvette Cooper · Wes Streeting · Healthwatch England · Healthwatch York · Healthwatch Leeds · Rachael Maskell · York · Leeds

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