Our response to Government proposals that could remove Healthwatch independence

Healthwatch North Yorkshire welcomes the support of Tom Gordon MP in raising serious concerns about Government plans that would remove the independent status of the Healthwatch network.

For more than ten years, Healthwatch has worked alongside local people, organisations, charities, and volunteers to ensure that real experiences shape how health and care services are provided across the county. Independence has always been central to this work. It allows us to listen to what people tell us without influence from those who plan, pay for, or provide services.

We help people find clear and trusted information so they can understand their options and make informed decisions for themselves and their families. While Healthwatch does not handle individual complaints or provide medical advice, we guide people to the right place for support when they do not know where else to turn.

Many in the sector have warned that this approach would be like asking the service to mark its own homework. While it could technically be done, there are real questions about whether it is the right thing to do, and what the result would look like in practice.

There is also the fear that people who are already struggling with their health or care, including those with a long term condition, a disability, or accessibility needs, may feel unable to raise concerns directly with the service responsible for their treatment. Some may worry that speaking up could affect the care they receive.

Early suggestions indicate that feedback could be collected through an NHS app. Many have already told us that they find digital only routes difficult. There are currently no plans for extra funding or staffing for the NHS or local councils to take on the full extent of local Healthwatch activity. This raises serious questions about how the same level of listening and support could be delivered.

Under the Health and Social Care Act, Healthwatch has legal powers to ask questions of those responsible for services and expect a response. We look into topics that matter to the public but are not always widely discussed. Recent examples include care homes, continence support, access to services in rural towns and villages, and accessible information. We highlight what has changed as a result of people speaking out.

Our current priorities include:

• Alcohol and midlife women’s health
• Problems with non urgent patient transport, including changing eligibility rules
• A new project on how services can better adapt to individual needs, especially for people with a disability or a long term health condition

We share the growing concern that the proposed changes would weaken the public’s ability to be heard and to hold decision makers to account. Independence is essential to ensuring that views from patients, carers, families, and communities lead to real improvements in care.

We are grateful to Tom Gordon MP for meeting with us and for continuing to raise this issue in Parliament. Healthwatch North Yorkshire remains committed to representing the public voice, championing good practice, and challenging where change is needed. People in North Yorkshire deserve the best care possible, and they deserve to be listened to.