ENGLAND — The UK government plans to abolish Healthwatch England as part of the NHS Modernisation Bill, which is scheduled for its second reading in Parliament on Monday, 1 June. Under the proposed legislation, Healthwatch’s responsibilities would be transferred to integrated care boards and local authorities as part of broader measures to centralise health and social care services under the Department of Health and Social Care.

Healthwatch is an independent body that represents patient views on local health and social care providers to help improve services. There are currently more than 150 local Healthwatch organisations in England, supported by over 500 staff and 4,000 volunteers. These local bodies gather public feedback on care experiences, advise residents on accessing services, sit on health and wellbeing boards, and collaborate with Healthwatch England to recommend special reviews by the Care Quality Commission.

The Department of Health and Social Care said the move aims to give patients a “stronger, clearer voice at the heart of health and social care.” A department spokesperson added that abolishing Healthwatch England is part of efforts “to simplify the patient safety landscape.” The spokesperson also said, “By bringing the patient voice closer to decision-makers, people's experiences will have a more direct impact on services.” The government also stated that centralising oversight would reduce bureaucracy and redirect resources to frontline healthcare.

The Local Government Association has raised concerns about the plan, warning it could undermine accountability. Councillor Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, chair of the association’s health and wellbeing committee, said transferring Healthwatch’s duties to integrated care boards and local authorities amounted to health services “marking their own homework.” The association also cautioned that the changes could create a “fragmented system” and widen the gap between health and social care.

The Local Government Association is calling on the government to “work with local government” to develop a “clear and workable model” that maintains an independent patient advocacy function.