Lord Hunt discusses proposed changes to Healthwatch on podcast
These proposals follow the Dash Review, a national review of the NHS, patient safety and patient experience led by Dr Penny Dash. The review considered how different organisations gather and represent people’s views about health and care, including Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch services.
During the podcast, Lord Hunt said that proposals relating to the future role of Healthwatch are likely to be among the more debated elements of the forthcoming Bill. He raised questions about how public voice and patient experience would be represented if responsibilities currently carried out by Healthwatch were structured differently in future, particularly if those functions were placed within organisations responsible for planning and commissioning (paying for) health and care services.
He highlighted the importance of having an independent local organisation that people can turn to for information, signposting, and to share their experiences of care. Lord Hunt also referenced work carried out by local Healthwatch organisations, including work on access to dentistry, pharmacy and smoking support, and how this reflects local people’s views.
What happens next?
The Bill is expected to be introduced in 2026, followed by detailed scrutiny and debate in Parliament, including in the House of Lords. The proposals will be subject to the parliamentary process before any changes are made.
Healthwatch North Yorkshire, along with 152 other local Healthwatch, are statutory, independent organisations that gathers and shares people’s experiences of health and social care. We are sharing this update to help people understand national discussions that may affect how public views are represented in future. As always, we will continue listening to people’s experiences in Derbyshire and sharing what matters to local decision makers.
You can listen to the full podcast episode on Spotify: The making of a Health Bill, Lord Hunt on the clashes to come.
Read more
- 5 February 2026 - Why listening to people matters in health and social care
- 27 November 2025 - Government response on the future of Healthwatch
- 4 November 2025 - We are still here and we support the petition to protect independent Healthwatch
- 4 November 2025 - Protecting local independent voice in healthcare and social care
- 18 July 2025 - We're standing up to protect your independent voice in the NHS and social care
- 28 June 2025 - Government plans around the future of Healthwatch sparks concern for patient voice
- 28 June 2025 - BBC News: Hundreds of NHS agencies to be scrapped
