Healthwatch Launch Campaign to Protect Independent Public Voice in Health and Social Care
Click here to sign the petition
We have joined this campaign, which is being coordinated across the local Healthwatch network, to seek to protect the principle that people should be able to provide feedback without fear or interference.
The campaign is in response to proposals outlined in the NHS 10-Year Health Plan, which suggests the abolition of Healthwatch England and the 152 local Healthwatch organisations. Under these proposals, the functions of Healthwatch would be transferred to local authorities (Councils) and combined with NHS Integrated Care Boards.*
Local Healthwatch network members taking part in the campaign - ourselves included - feel that this move would remove the only collective, independent, and statutory opportunity for the public to hold the NHS and social care system to account.
Proponents of the campaign argue that proposals to bring public voice functions under the control of NHS bodies or local authorities risk compromising the impartiality and effectiveness of these initiatives. They state that services cannot be held to account by the same bodies that fund or manage them. The campaign highlights that independence is crucial for transparency, accountability, and meaningful change.
The campaign’s key messages emphasise the importance of an independent public voice, which acts as a "critical friend" to services , amplifies the voices of those at risk of health inequalities , and is driven by the community. It also serves as a bridge across different sectors, connecting various organisations and communities.
The campaign calls upon the Government to strengthen independent public voice, engage with local Healthwatch leaders to co-design a future for health and care, and recognise the role that an independent voice plays in supporting the three shifts outlined in the 10-year health plan: "Hospital to community," "Analogue to digital," and "Sickness to prevention".
As part of the campaign, the local Healthwatch network is urging the public to sign a national petition calling for a review of the decision to abolish local independent services that speak up for the public.
For more information and to sign the petition, please click the button below:
SIGN THE PETITION to preserve an independent public voice in healthcare
*Primary legislation is set to be used to make the DASH Review's proposed changes. DHSC, Healthwatch England, MHCLG and stakeholders will look to develop legislation details and we will update this website when they are available. In the meantime, local authorities have been told to ensure a Local Healthwatch organisation continues to operate, with funding for 2025-26 to be confirmed in the autumn.
The Devon 10-Year Plan engagement findings
NHS Devon recently launched a report outlining the findings from an extensive public and workforce engagement program conducted by NHS Devon to inform the national 10-Year Health Plan.
We played a central role in the engagement program, helping to reach over 3,000 people and ensure the voices of patients, carers, and hard-to-reach communities were heard.
Key Report Themes:
- Public Priorities: Participants consistently valued a free NHS, the dedication of its staff, and the need to address issues like long waiting times and access to primary care.
- Impact on Patients: The plan aims to shift care closer to communities, offering more convenient services.
- Patient Concerns: Concerns were raised about long waiting lists, difficulty securing GP appointments, and a lack of integrated services. The move towards digital healthcare also sparked fears of digital exclusion and the loss of personal connection.
- The report does not explicitly state how patients in Devon want to share or feed back their user experiences going forward.
