Proposed government closure of Healthwatch
As part of the government's 'NHS 10 Year Plan', the Healthwatch network of 152 local Healthwatch are planned to be closed. For over 50 years, since the establishment of Community Health Councils in 1974 there has been a system of independent scrutiny of health services that has ensured that patients and the public can influence health decisions in England. The government is planning to move the Healthwatch functions into the commissioning organisations. In this instance South West London Integrated Care Board for the NHS and Sutton Council for Social Care.
This move totally removes the independence that has enabled Healthwatch to carry out investigations based on the priorities of local people and provide solid evidence of the need for change. This is happening at a time when independent scrutiny is most needed as the changes in the plan are delivered locally.
In Sutton, we collected the views and experiences of 5000 secondary school students, collated and analysed the data, and provided detailed and indisputable evidence of issues that could be used to improve the mental wellbeing of young people. The existence of this data was instrumental in the successful bid for Trailblazer funding for local schools that lead to an additional £1.3m in funding for support across 3 boroughs including Sutton. This was used to employ additional specialist mental health staff in schools.
More recently, we have published our analysis of a survey of 4000 people that looked at GP Access. Our findings have been picked up by Sutton borough MPs and the leader of Sutton Council who have written to local NHS leaders to establish what can be done to improve access.
Our presence at a wide variety of key decision-making Boards and Committees has ensured that people are kept at the forefront of decisions that are made that affect local residents. We are able to scrutinise the NHS and local authority through our representation and ensure that local people's views and experiences have been considered in decisions around service delivery.
Moreover, many very senior leaders in these organisations have contacted us to express their concern that our influence will no longer be felt in the future.
We have already signed the open letter signed by 90% of Healthwatch organisations to the Minister for Health, Wes Streeting. You can see the letter below.
Change will not happen immediately as Healthwatch are statutory bodies that require a change in the law to close them. This will require a new act of parliament to be passed that is likely to take at least a year to complete.
In the meantime, please be assured that we are still here for our local communities, attending key groups and committees and carrying out projects. Our report about maternity services will be published imminently and we have just started to look at home care.
Open Letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Re: The Future of Public Voice and the Importance of Independent Advocacy
Dear Secretary of State,
We, the Chief Officers/Chairs of local Healthwatch services across England, are deeply concerned by the government’s proposal to bring public voice functions under the control of local authorities and NHS bodies - undermining the independence that makes public feedback effective.
For over a decade, Healthwatch has served as a trusted, impartial voice for members of the public, carers, and communities. Our statutory independence enables us to speak truth to power, challenge poor practice, and amplify the experiences of those too often unheard - particularly the most vulnerable and those with the most complex needs. We work constructively with local systems, but always with the freedom to raise concerns without fear or favour.
The Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust scandal stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of failing to listen. The Francis Inquiry made clear that independent scrutiny and public advocacy are essential. It also exposed the failure of local democratic scrutiny mechanisms, which lacked the expertise to detect serious failings - giving false reassurance to regulators.
Bringing public voice functions in-house risks creating a system where feedback is filtered, inconvenient truths are softened, and accountability is diluted. It sends the wrong message at a time when public trust in institutions must be rebuilt, not eroded.
We have countless examples of where people have chosen to share their experiences with local Healthwatch instead of providers, due to fear of repercussions, previous dismissal, or lack of access. People often tell us we are the first service to truly listen and the only one that follows up to ensure they receive the support needed.
Beyond gathering feedback, Healthwatch provides trusted, independent information and signposting to help people navigate complex health and care systems. We also respond to concerns from the public by carrying out Enter and View visits and conducting focused research that has resulted in real changes to local services. Our local knowledge and impartial advice are often the only support available to those struggling to access services - something not readily offered by the NHS or local authorities, nor covered in
the new 10-Year Health Plan.
Since 1974 there has been continuous parliamentary support for independent public voice initiatives being able to hold services to account. Therefore, we urge you to reconsider this direction. Instead of dismantling independence, we should be strengthening it - ensuring every community has access to strong, well-resourced, and fearless local public voice initiatives that hold services to account and shape care that truly meets people’s needs.
We ask to meet with you to discuss why preserving independent public voice is essential. We remain committed to improving services - but cannot do so effectively if our independence is compromised.
Yours sincerely,
The Chief Officers/Chairs of Local Healthwatch services
