Abolishing patient watchdog leaves NHS 'marking own homework', councils warn
Summary
A government plan aims to abolish Healthwatch, an independent group representing patients’ views on health and social care in England and Wales. Local councils warn this could reduce independent oversight and make health services responsible for assessing their own quality.Key Facts
- Healthwatch is an independent body that gathers patient opinions on local health and social care providers.
- The Local Government Association (LGA) warns that scrapping Healthwatch would create a system where health services "mark their own homework."
- The government plans to transfer Healthwatch’s duties to integrated care boards and local authorities.
- This change is part of the NHS Modernisation Bill currently in Parliament.
- The government says these reforms will reduce bureaucracy and give patients a clearer voice in health decisions.
- There are over 150 local Healthwatch groups supported by 500 staff and 4,000 volunteers.
- Healthwatch advises on health service improvements and can prompt special reviews by the Care Quality Commission.
- The LGA fears losing Healthwatch will cause fragmented health and social care services and weaken accountability.
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