Tom Gordon MP backs calls to protect independent patient voice

Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, met with Healthwatch North Yorkshire to discuss urgent concerns about Government proposals that would remove the independent status of the Healthwatch network (152 local Healthwatch in England, including Healthwatch North Yorkshire).

The plans would place the work of local Healthwatch under the control of local authorities and NHS bodies. For us locally, this would be the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (as they cover Craven) and North Yorkshire Council.

Both Tom and Healthwatch North Yorkshire warn this would seriously weaken patient advocacy and reduce transparency across health and care services.

Read our full response to these proposals

They agreed this move would be a step backwards. Without independence, there is a real danger that public feedback could be filtered or overlooked and that concerns about care would not be heard at the highest level. This risks silencing the very people who rely on the NHS and social care services to keep them (or their loved ones) safe.

For 12 years, Healthwatch North Yorkshire has been a trusted public voice. From working with Harrogate District Hospital to improve patient care to supporting better postnatal support with Harrogate Maternity Voices, the organisation has ensured that local experiences influence vital decisions. It also works closely with people who face the greatest barriers in accessing services so that their views lead to real improvement across the county.

There is now widespread concern that this independent and community driven voice would disappear under the Government’s proposal.

Tom has already raised the issue in Parliament and in a letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. He has confirmed that he will continue to challenge the decision and stand up for independent advocacy across North Yorkshire.

Ashley Green, Chief Executive of Healthwatch North Yorkshire, said:

“Our independence is central to everything we do. It allows us to speak openly and honestly about what people tell us. If this independence is lost, we risk creating a system where public voices are filtered or overlooked. That would be a huge step backwards for transparency, accountability, and trust in health and social care.

“We are grateful to Tom Gordon MP for meeting with us and for standing up for the importance of an independent patient voice. People in North Yorkshire deserve to be heard, and we will continue to make sure that happens.”

Tom Gordon MP added:

“Abolishing Healthwatch is a backwards step that risks silencing patients and weakening scrutiny of the NHS.

"Its independence has been central to speaking up for communities. If those responsible for services took control, it would blur lines of accountability and remove a key safeguard.

“Patients deserve more than a system that marks its own homework. The Government must urgently rethink this decision and protect independent advocacy. Anything less puts patient safety and public trust at risk.”