Health champion welcomes government U-turn on axing NHS patient watchdog
Decision “recognises the importance of an independent patient and public voice, both locally and nationally.”
The health and social care champion for Rotherham has welcomed the government's rethink on the planned axing of local Healthwatch organisations and Healthwatch England.
Responding to the Health Secretary Yvette Cooper's decision this week to reverse the planned abolition, Healthwatch Rotherham also welcomed the news that the model – which the body says helps hold services in England to account – will instead be strengthened and extended.
The U-turn from the Department of Health and Social Care means Healthwatch England and its 150 branches including in Rotherham will continue to collect feedback on people's experiences of GPs, hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, care homes, home carers or other support services.
The statutory body – which has the power to ensure NHS leaders and other decision-makers listen to people's feedback and improve standards of care - will be retained, continuing on a local authority footprint and commissioned by local authorities.
The government also intends to strengthen the Healthwatch model so that patients’ and public experiences have a greater influence on improving health and social care services.
Kym Gleeson, manager at Healthwatch Rotherham - based at Upper Millgate - said: “The Health Bill clauses proposing the abolition of local Healthwatch and Healthwatch England have been withdrawn and the government has reversed its decision to abolish us.
“Healthwatch will now be strengthened - although the new model has yet to be developed, we understand that a quality framework for the new arrangements will be designed by Whitehall.
“For Healthwatch Rotherham, this means we can continue to listen to people’s experiences of health and social care, make sure local voices are heard by those who plan and deliver services, provide independent information and signposting, highlight what is working well and where improvements are needed and champion the needs of people who may otherwise struggle to be heard.
“This decision recognises the importance of an independent patient and public voice, both locally and nationally because Healthwatch helps amplify the voices of those who aren't always heard by services.
“While this reversal is very welcome news, we recognise the considerable uncertainty created by the proposals and the impact this has had over the past 18 months.
“Throughout this period, our staff, volunteers, partners and local communities have continued to support our work and share their experiences with us.
“We would like to thank everyone who has stood alongside Healthwatch and continued to recognise the value of an independent voice for people using health and care services.”