Health Bill update: Questions raised about how people's experiences will be heard

The Government’s Health Bill has now completed its Second Reading in Parliament, marking the next stage in proposed changes that could affect the future of Healthwatch across England.

The Bill includes proposals to abolish Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations, including here in North Yorkshire. Responsibility for listening to people's experiences and helping shape improvements in care would instead move to NHS organisations responsible for planning and funding local healthcare, and to local councils.

At this stage, nothing changes for people in North Yorkshire. Healthwatch North Yorkshire remains independent and will continue to listen to local people’s experiences of health and social care, share what we hear, and use that evidence to help improve care.

This article provides an update to our previous story, published on 21 May, which explained the proposed changes and what they could mean for Healthwatch.

What happened in Parliament?

The Health Bill received its Second Reading in the House of Commons on Monday 1 June 2026.

This means MPs have debated the main principles of the Bill. The Bill will now move to a committee of MPs for more detailed examination.

The committee is expected to begin its work on 16 June 2026 and complete its scrutiny by 16 July 2026. MPs will be able to consider amendments, which means parts of the Bill could still change before it becomes law.

The next stages in the House of Commons and House of Lords are expected to continue later this year.

What did MPs say about Healthwatch

During the debate, MPs from across different political parties raised concerns about the proposed abolition of Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations.

Some MPs called for the current arrangements to be kept. Others said that, if changes go ahead, there should still be an independent way for people to share their experiences and raise concerns, including those caring or supporting someone.

Concerns were also raised about how the proposed changes could affect people who already face barriers to getting the support, information or care they needhealth, including people who may find it harder to speak up or be heard.

Several amendments have been proposed, including amendments that would remove the sections of the Bill relating to the abolition of Healthwatch England and the transfer of local Healthwatch functions.

The debate reflected wider questions about how people's experiences of health and social care will help shape decisions and improvements in future.

Why does it matter who listens?

Healthwatch was created to provide a trusted and independence place for people using health and social care.

Many people tell us they are more comfortable sharing their experiences with an independent organisation, rather than directly with the NHS or local council.

Some people feel more comfortable speaking to an organisation that is separate from these, particularly when discussing sensitive issues or situations where they feel they have not been listened to.

That independence helps build trust and confidence that people's experiences will be heard and considered fairly.

Every year, thousands of people across North Yorkshire share their experiences with Healthwatch, helping identify problems, highlight good practice and influence improvements.

Our independence allows us to:

• listen to people’s experiences without being part of the organisations providing, planning or paying for care
• raise issues openly when local people tell us something is not working
• publish findings and recommendations based on what people have told us
• share evidence with NHS and council decision makers
• help make sure people’s experiences are considered when decisions are made

People also contact Healthwatch when they are unsure where to turn for help, information or advice about health and social care. We help people understand their options, find the right organisation to contact and make informed decisions.

Sometimes people come to us after struggling to get answers elsewhere, while others simply want an independent organisation to listen and explain what support may be available.

Recent work by Healthwatch North Yorkshire has helped improve information accessibility, support for new mums, healthcare access for farming communities, continence care, and awareness of reasonable adjustments for disabled people and people with additional needs.

These examples show why this debate is about more than organisational structures or legislation. It is about whether people can speak up, be heard and help improve care for others.

Helping hear from people whose voices are often less heard

Healthwatch organisations also play an important role in helping hear from people whose voices are often less likely to be heard.

In North Yorkshire, this has included work with farming communities, people from ethnic minority communities, disabled people and people with additional needs, new mums, carers and people living in rural areas.

Many organisations have highlighted the importance of ensuring these voices continue to be heard as Parliament considers the proposed changes.

Several organisations have also raised concerns that any future arrangements must continue to ensure the experiences of people facing the greatest barriers to care are heard and acted upon.

What are other organisations saying?

Several respected organisations and commentators have also stressed the importance of making sure people continue to have an independent way to share their experiences and influence improvements in care.

Many have also questioned whether moving these responsibilities into NHS and local authority organisations (councils) could affect public confidence in the independence of the feedback process, particularly when Healthwatch has already built relationships and trust people to feel confident in sharing experiences.

In March 2026, The King's Fund published an independent report, The future of patient voice: learning from the Healthwatch model. The report found that Healthwatch's independence is one of its key strengths, helping it build trust with communities while providing objective, impartial advice, challenge and scrutiny.

National Voices, which represents more than 200 health and care charities, has also published a briefing on the Health Bill. It warns that the proposed changes could weaken independent patient voice and accountability by transferring Healthwatch functions into NHS and government structures.

The Local Government Association has also called for an independent way for local people to share their experiences and influence decisions about health and social care. In its briefing on the Health Bill, it said local Healthwatch provides an independent source of insight and challenge.

The Patients Association has also highlighted the importance of maintaining trusted, independent routes for people to share their experiences and help shape improvements in health and social care in its response to The King's Fund report on the Healthwatch model.

Simon Denegri's article in The British Medical Journal has also raised concerns about the impact of the proposed reforms on how people's experiences of health and social care will be heard in future.

What does this mean for people in North Yorkshire?

At this stage, nothing changes for local people.

Healthwatch North Yorkshire remains independent and continues to:

• listen to people’s experiences of health and social care
• provide information and signposting
• publish reports, findings and recommendations
• share evidence with NHS and council organisations
• help local people have their voices heard

The proposals are still being considered by Parliament and could change before any final decision is made.

We will continue to follow developments and keep local people, volunteers, trustees and other organisations updated as the Bill progresses.