We're still here for you: An update on the future of Healthwatch
The Dash Review is an independent report led by Dr Penny Dash. It came about by the Department of Health and Social Care to investigate how well patient and user voices are heard across the health and care system.
The review recommends significant changes to how Healthwatch operates nationally and locally.
What is being proposed?
The Dash Review recommends:
- Transferring the work of Healthwatch England to a new directorate for patient experience within the Department of Health and Social Care.
- Transferring the work of local Healthwatch services, like Healthwatch North Yorkshire, to local NHS Integrated Care Boards (those who plan how the NHS money is spent locally) and local authorities (councils).
The Government has accepted these recommendations and says it will pass legislation to bring them into effect – but this has not happened yet.
We do not know the timescales of this.
So, what does this mean now?
Put simply:
Healthwatch North Yorkshire is still here, still working, and still listening to you.
While these changes may happen in the future, nothing has changed in law yet. Until then, local Healthwatch services across England will continue to be commissioned by local authorities (locally for us, this is North Yorkshire Council), and we will continue to deliver our statutory role.
We’re here to:
- Listen to your experiences of health and social care (good and bad)
- Share what we hear (anoynmously - we won't use your name) with the people in power to help improve services, as well as celebrating good examples of care and giving you the opportunity to say thank you.
- Help you find advice and information to know healthcare options, make the best decisions and get the support you need.
You may have seen some reports suggesting that Healthwatch services are closing immediately. That is not the case.
What happens next?
We are waiting for the Department of Health and Social Care to confirm how and when these changes might take place. Like many others, we are seeking clarity on what this will mean in practice – especially for the independence and local knowledge that Healthwatch brings to health and care conversations.
We believe it’s vital that patient voices remain central to how services are designed and delivered – and that local communities continue to be listened to meaningfully.
Our commitment
As always, we will continue to represent the voice of people in North Yorkshire. Whatever changes lie ahead, we are committed to making sure your views are heard and acted upon.
We’ll keep you informed as we learn more. In the meantime, thank you for your ongoing support. It means a lot to our staff, management, trustees and volunteers.
