Disbanding Healthwatch risks health and care services 'marking their own homework', says LGA

The Local Government Association (LGA) is calling on the Government to retain a statutory independent local patient voice function and work with councils to develop a clear, workable model for patient and public voice that ensures accountability and independence across health and social care.

The NHS Modernisation Bill, announced in the King's Speech, removes the current system for patient and public voice by disbanding Healthwatch, without setting out a clear independent replacement. Under the proposals, NHS bodies and adult social care providers would gather and act on feedback about their own services.

The LGA, on behalf of councils in England, is warning that this is a significant step back from the accountability framework established following the Francis Report. Without an independent, locally rooted voice to challenge and represent communities, there is a risk of duplication and gaps in accountability.

It is concerned that splitting responsibilities across multiple organisations could create a fragmented system, at a time when there is focus on improving integration across health and social care services. The LGA believes a fragmented approach could widen the gap in parity of esteem between health and social care.

The LGA is seeking urgent clarity on how funding and statutory duties for patient and public voice will be distributed in the future. This includes how local patient voice will be represented within Health and Wellbeing Boards and Safeguarding Adults Boards, where Healthwatch currently has an important statutory role.

Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the Local Government Association's Health and Wellbeing Committee, said:

“We look forward to working with Government to ensure the NHS Bill is workable and delivers real improvements for local people through neighbourhood health and digital technologies.

“It will be important to align changes within existing statutory arrangements across health and local government including the role of Health and Wellbeing boards, to support joint working and avoid unnecessary complexity.

“The current proposals to disband Healthwatch and allow health and social care services to gather and respond to feedback, rather than being challenged by an independent voice, risks organisations being seen to mark their own homework.

“It could also create confusion and frustration for people who, if drawing on both health and care, will need to approach two different parts of the system to share their views.

“We call on the Government to pause and work with local government and partners to develop a clear and workable model for local patient and public voice that maintains independence, joins up insight across health and social care, and delivers meaningful accountability.”

Notes to editors

• Read the LGA briefing on the NHS Modernisation Bill in the Kings Speech
• Local authorities in England have a legal duty to commission local Healthwatch.
• Local Healthwatch organisations are responsible for managing contact from the public about the service of health and social care providers.
• Healthwatch hold statutory seats on every Health and Wellbeing Board and Safeguarding Adults Boards.