Government right to retain independent patient voice, says Picker

 

Responding to the government's decision not to abolish Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations, Olli Potter, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Picker, said:

"The government's decision to retain Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations is a positive and welcome step. We have consistently argued that patients and service users need access to a trusted, independent voice. Independent patient representation has been a vital part of the NHS landscape in England for more than 50 years.

"Throughout the debate on Healthwatch's future, we have been clear that effective patient involvement is not about speaking on behalf of people, but about ensuring their experiences, concerns and priorities are heard and acted upon. This is particularly important for underserved and marginalised communities, whose voices are too often overlooked.

"However, the success of any 'strengthened' Healthwatch model will depend on the detail. To be effective, it must have meaningful powers, clear routes to escalate concerns, and sufficient funding and resources to carry out its role independently. This must be accompanied by wider cultural change across the health service so that patient experience and public involvement are embedded at the heart of decision-making.

"As the Health Bill continues its passage through the House of Lords, the clauses related to the abolition of Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch must be removed. The government's proposed strengthened model should be clearly set out in legislation to provide certainty and safeguard the future of an independent patient voice."

ENDS

 

Notes to editors

  • Our briefing on the legacy of patient voice in the NHS in England is available on our website: From Community Health Councils to Healthwatch and beyond | Picker
  • For media enquiries, please contact Marketing and Communications team at [email protected], or phone: 01865 632 235.
  • Picker's team of researchers and data scientists are available to support organisations in understanding, measuring, and using workforce and user experience. For queries about our services or to request a call, please contact [email protected].