Important Update on Healthwatch Future

We are pleased to inform you that we have been told by the Department of Health & Social Care that the Health Bill clauses relating to both the abolition of local Healthwatch and Healthwatch England are to be withdrawn.

Local Healthwatch organisations and Healthwatch England will be retained and the system strengthened so that patients' and public experiences play a greater role in improving health and social care services. Local Healthwatch will be kept on a local authority footprint and commissioned by local authorities.

In terms of reforming the Healthwatch model, the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) has taken evidence from many stakeholders, including both local and national Healthwatch representatives, about how to build on the best of Healthwatch and strengthen it for the future. The Department intends to bring forward measures in the Bill that aim to strengthen the role of HWE and improve consistency in delivery of patient voice across the Healthwatch network. There will also be non-legislative steps aimed at strengthening the patient voice. Government will be providing more details over the coming weeks as the Bill progresses through the Lords.

We are delighted that the Government has recognised the huge value of the Healthwatch network, including its hub and spoke model.