Proposed changes to Healthwatch discussed in national podcast

News - 4 March 2026

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath recently discussed proposed changes to Healthwatch during an appearance on the Health Service Journal podcast.

The conversation comes as the Government considers reforms to how people’s experiences of NHS healthcare and social care are gathered and represented nationally.

Background to the discussion

The discussion follows the Dash Review, a national review led by Doctor Penny Dash which examined how the NHS gathers feedback from patients and the public.

Among its recommendations were proposals relating to the future role of Healthwatch, the organisation that helps ensure people’s views about health and social care are heard.

The Government is now considering proposals that could change how people’s experiences of health and social care are gathered and represented in the future. One option being discussed is for local authorities and Integrated Care Boards to take greater responsibility for gathering feedback about services.

Integrated Care Boards are NHS organisations responsible for planning and funding local health services. In North Yorkshire, this would involve North Yorkshire Council for social care and NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.

In some areas, this work could still be delivered by an independent organisation, although it may operate under a different structure or name.

Healthwatch organisations are independent from the NHS and local authorities. This independence helps ensure people can share their experiences openly and that feedback about services can be reported publicly. Many organisations say this independence is important for maintaining trust and ensuring people’s voices are heard clearly.

What was said in the podcast

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 legislation.

One issue being discussed is whether responsibility for gathering patient and public feedback should continue to sit with independent organisations such as Healthwatch, or move to organisations involved in planning and commissioning health services.

Some have raised concerns that if these responsibilities were moved, it could affect the independence of the patient voice.

You can listen to the full podcast episode on Spotify:

The making of a Health Bill, Lord Hunt on the clashes to come.

What happens next

The Government is expected to bring forward legislation in 2026 setting out proposed changes to the health and care system.

Any changes would be debated in Parliament before becoming law and would take time to implement.

Healthwatch North Yorkshire will continue operating under current arrangements until at least April 2027. As always, we will continue listening to people’s experiences in North Yorkshire and sharing what we hear with those responsible for planning and delivering health and social care services.

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Why listening to people matters in health and social care

Listening to people’s real experiences helps local Healthwatch show what accessing health and social care is really like, highlight inequalities, and support services to make practical improvements that better reflect people’s everyday needs.
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