Our Response to the Developing NHS Online: Local Healthwatch Consultation

Report - 11 March 2026

The new NHS Online trust is intended to deliver a range of end-to-end specialist planned care services digitally and will be a choice for all NHS patients on certain pathways and who are signed up to the NHS App across the country.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England are working to establish a new online service which will deliver online elective services as part of the NHS, referred to as the Online NHS Trust. When the establishment of any NHS Trust is being considered, there is a duty on the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to first consult with the relevant local Healthwatch. 

As the Online NHS Trust will operate nationally, the Secretary of State is seeking the views of all local Healthwatch organisations. 

Watch this video if you would like to find out more about the NHS Online Plan: Video

Our response is based on findings from our work, responses to the 10 Year Health survey and feedback provided by our members at the last Healthwatch Sutton Annual General Meeting (AGM). This document presents our official response to the consultation and was structured by consultation questions.

Please click below to read our response:

HWS Response

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