Healthwatch has a future
The Government has announced that local Healthwatch organisations, including Healthwatch York, and Healthwatch England will be retained and strengthened so that patients' and public experiences play a greater role in improving health and social care services.
The clauses within the Health Bill relating to the abolition of Healthwatch will now be withdrawn.
Quoted in the Guardian, Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said: “Patients need a voice in our NHS. I’ve always been clear on the importance of people and communities having a say in local services and that’s why I said I would review all reforms in this area.
“We will retain Healthwatch England and Local Healthwatch, while strengthening them to ensure patient voices are heard and can influence real change across health and care services.”
Siân Balsom, Healthwatch York manager, added: "We are delighted about this announcement. This means that independent health and social care lived experience will continue to influence the quality and equality of care.
"A big thank you to Rachael Maskell MP, City of York councillors and so many more local people and organisations for championing the work of Healthwatch York and all local Healthwatch. Like us, they understand the importance of having people's voices at the heart of developing services and that an independent organisation like Healthwatch is in by far the best place to do that.
"We know that the best people to shape local health and care services are the people who use them. We look forward to continuing to champion their voices."
Gillian Merron, the health minister in the Lords, will confirm the change of plan when peers will discuss the Health Bill in its Committee Stage.
Siân added: "We are so pleased that we can continue our work. It comes at time when Healthwatch York has become a trusted partner in the local health and care system. Last year almost 10,000 York people shared their experiences of health and care with us or got in touch for clear information - clearly we have been doing something right!"