Healthwatch Warrington Urges Public to Sign Petition Against Abolition of Independent Services
The petition, titled “Review decision to abolish independent local Healthwatch”, asks the government to:
- Revisit its decision to remove independent services that advocate for the public,
- Consult with the public to co-design a service that meets their needs and supports NHS ambitions.
- Invest in and strengthen independent services.
The move follows the publication of the Dash Patient Safety Review, whose recommendations have been incorporated into the NHS 10-Year Health Plan. Among these is the proposal to transfer Healthwatch functions to NHS Integrated Care Boards and local authorities.
This decision has sparked concern among Healthwatch organisations nationwide. The review itself acknowledged Healthwatch’s vital role in promoting patient safety and amplifying public voices, noting that since 2013, Healthwatch has helped over a million people annually to raise concerns and access advice. However, few local Healthwatch bodies were consulted, and the public was not invited to contribute, despite the review’s stated aim of placing “greater emphasis on the patient voice.”
Lydia Hughes, CEO of Healthwatch Warrington, commented:
“The news was very unexpected, and we await clarity on the details of this decision. The NHS 10-year plan will have further details, so I welcome this plan to answer Healthwatch and the public’s questions. I hope that the public’s voice and an ‘independent service’ will still be the way forward, as the public deserve to have their voices heard, especially those who are hard to reach and are unable to access digitally.”
Healthwatch Warrington plays a crucial role in the community by seeking out voices that might otherwise go unheard, particularly those most at risk of health inequalities. The organisation works closely with local VCSE groups to build trusted relationships, listen to people’s experiences, and connect them with the support they need.
A key part of Healthwatch Warrington’s work is providing independent information and advice to help people navigate the complexities of the NHS and social care systems. This includes assisting individuals to understand their rights and access services in ways that suit their needs, especially those who are vulnerable or digitally excluded.
The organisation also collects and analyses feedback through various channels, including phone calls, surveys, and its online feedback centre. This anonymised data is shared with decision-makers to help improve health and care services across the region.
Healthwatch Warrington warns that proposals to collect feedback solely through the NHS App, limited to those who have already accessed services, cannot replicate the depth of engagement and insight that independent Healthwatch services provide.
The organisation is urging the public to sign the petition and share it widely to ensure that the voices of patients and communities continue to be heard.
