Government confirms Healthwatch will be retained and strengthened
The announcement, made on Wednesday 28 October 2026, confirms that the Government will withdraw proposals in the Health Bill that would have abolished the independent Healthwatch network across England.
Instead, Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations will be retained and strengthened, with a renewed focus on ensuring patients' and the public's experiences directly influence improvements to health and social care services.
The decision follows widespread concerns raised by MPs, members of the House of Lords, local authorities, voluntary sector organisations, Healthwatch staff and volunteers, and members of the public about the potential loss of an independent patient voice.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Yvette Cooper, confirmed the decision, saying:
"We will retain Healthwatch England and Local Healthwatch"
She also outlined the Government's intention to strengthen the network so people's experiences can lead to meaningful improvements in health and care.
Why Healthwatch matters
Established in 2013, Healthwatch is the independent champion for people using health and social care services.
Across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, Healthwatch provides a free, confidential and accessible way for people to share their experiences, raise concerns, find reliable information and help shape improvements to local services.
Our independence means we can listen openly to patients, carers and communities, identify patterns and concerns, and constructively challenge the organisations responsible for planning and delivering care.
This includes reaching people who may otherwise struggle to have their voices heard, undertaking independent visits to services, gathering evidence and ensuring local experiences inform decisions.
The Government had previously proposed transferring Healthwatch responsibilities to NHS integrated care boards and local authorities. However, concerns were raised that this could weaken independent scrutiny, fragment feedback across health and social care, and undermine public confidence.
Following a review and engagement with stakeholders, the Government has now recognised the importance of retaining an independent Healthwatch network, while seeking to strengthen its effectiveness, consistency and influence.
Making a difference across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay
Over the past 13 years, Healthwatch has helped thousands of local people share their experiences and contributed to improvements in health and social care.
Our achievements include:
- Supporting local people: During 2025–26 alone, we supported 2,872 people, including 1,664 who shared their experiences and 1,208 who received information, advice or support. We also escalated or referred 457 concerns to relevant organisations.
- Influencing NHS plans: We worked with NHS Devon to gather more than 3,500 views and experiences to inform the NHS 10-Year Plan, ensuring local communities could contribute to decisions about future services.
- Improving safety in social care: Concerns about domiciliary care in Torbay were escalated to the Care Quality Commission, contributing to an inspection, regulatory action and the subsequent recommissioning of services.
- Supporting carers and patients: Our research involving 240 unpaid carers helped improve local dementia training and informed a Parliamentary inquiry into adult social care reform. Patient feedback also helped co-design improvements to hospital complaints processes in Plymouth.
- Tackling inequalities: Our work has highlighted barriers relating to digital healthcare, disability, reasonable adjustments and hospital accessibility, helping providers better understand and respond to people's needs.
These are just some examples of how independent public feedback can contribute to practical improvements, while helping NHS and social care organisations understand what matters most to the people using their services.
Our work has also relied on volunteers, community organisations, NHS partners and local authorities working together to make sure people's experiences lead to meaningful action.
A welcome decision for local communities
Dr Kevin Dixon, Chair of Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, welcomed the announcement:
"This is wonderful news, not just for Healthwatch, but for the thousands of local people who rely on having somewhere independent and trusted to share their experiences.
"For 13 years, our staff and volunteers have listened to people, often at some of the most difficult moments in their lives, and worked tirelessly to turn those experiences into positive change. I'm immensely proud of what we've achieved together.
"I want to sincerely thank everyone who has spoken up for Healthwatch and helped make this decision possible – local MPs, parliamentarians from across the political parties, our partners, commissioners, colleagues across the Healthwatch network, volunteers and, above all, the people and communities we serve.
"There is still work ahead to strengthen Healthwatch and make sure people's voices lead to real improvements, but today is an opportunity to celebrate the value of independent public voice and the people who have worked so hard to protect it."
What happens next?
The Government has confirmed that local Healthwatch organisations will continue to operate on a local authority footprint and be commissioned by local authorities.
The Department of Health and Social Care intends to introduce further measures through the Health Bill to strengthen Healthwatch England's role and improve consistency and impact across the national network.
Additional improvements are also expected outside legislation, with further details to follow as the Bill progresses through Parliament.
While the decision provides welcome certainty about the continuation of Healthwatch, the detailed reforms, funding arrangements and implications for local delivery beyond March 2027 have not yet been confirmed.
Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay remains open, independent and fully operational.
Looking ahead – our partnership's continued commitment
Healthwatch Devon, Healthwatch Plymouth and Healthwatch Torbay are jointly commissioned by Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council.
The services are delivered through a long-standing partnership between Colebrook South West, Engaging Communities South West and Citizens Advice Devon, bringing together specialist knowledge, local relationships and community engagement expertise.
Throughout the uncertainty surrounding Healthwatch's future, the three organisations have continued working together to protect independent community insight, develop future opportunities and maintain the trusted relationships established over many years.
That commitment remains unchanged.
The partnership looks forward to working with commissioners, Healthwatch England, NHS organisations, local authorities and community partners to understand and help shape the reforms ahead.
Above all, our priority remains ensuring that people across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay continue to have an independent, accessible and trusted way to influence the health and social care services they rely on.
We are still here, still listening and still committed to making your voice count.
