Yvette Cooper drops plans to abolish NHS patient champion after outcry
Summary
Yvette Cooper has dropped plans to abolish Healthwatch England and its local branches after criticism from lawmakers across parties. The government will retain and strengthen the patient watchdog so it can gather feedback and highlight recurring problems with NHS care in England.Key Facts
- Healthwatch England and its 150 local branches were due to be abolished under a reorganisation of the health service in England.
- Healthwatch gathers and analyses patients’ feedback about NHS services.
- Cooper said the government would retain Healthwatch England and Local Healthwatch and strengthen their role.
- Healthwatch has published reports on access to NHS-funded dental care, long waits for ADHD assessments and problems notifying patients about appointments.
- Lawmakers from Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats criticised the proposed abolition.
- The government had planned to transfer Healthwatch’s functions to regional integrated care boards and local councils.
- Health minister Gillian Merron is expected to confirm the change during a debate on the health bill in the House of Lords.
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