Councils Warn NHS Will 'Mark Own Homework' Without Independent Patient Watchdog Healthwatch

The proposed abolition of Healthwatch, the independent body championing patient views on health and social care, will result in the National Health Service 'marking their own homework', according to the Local Government Association (LGA). This group, representing local councils in England and Wales, warns that removing Healthwatch will compromise accountability within the system.

Healthwatch currently provides an independent platform for patients to voice concerns about local health and social care providers, driving improvements. The LGA has expressed deep concern regarding the absence of a viable alternative plan, highlighting the risk of a 'fragmented system' and 'duplication and gaps in accountability' should Healthwatch be disbanded.

The Department for Health and Social Care maintains that these changes, part of the NHS Modernisation Bill currently before Parliament, will offer patients a 'stronger, clearer voice at the heart of health and social care'. They suggest the reforms will reduce bureaucracy and redirect resources to frontline services, with Healthwatch responsibilities transferring to integrated care boards and local authorities. However, this means those entities would respond to feedback on their own services, removing independent challenge.

Councillor Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, chair of the LGA's health and wellbeing committee, underscored the concern that this 'fragmented approach' could exacerbate disparities between health and social care provisions. The LGA calls on the government to collaborate with local government to establish a 'clear and workable model' that maintains Healthwatch's crucial independent function.