DHSC News: Government backs stronger public voice with Healthwatch reforms
Please find below a press release that has been issued to media today (Wednesday 28 October) for immediate release.
The press release announces that Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations will be retained and strengthened, so that patients' and public experiences play a greater role in improving health and social care services.
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Government backs stronger public voice with Healthwatch reforms
Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations will be retained and the system strengthened so that patients' and public experiences play a greater role in improving health and social care services.
The changes will help ensure that lessons from patient and public feedback are shared across the health and care system, driving improvement beyond individual organisations.
Healthwatch will play a greater role in identifying recurring concerns and highlighting where action is needed to improve quality, safety and patient experience.
The reforms will support more consistent engagement with patients and communities, helping services better understand and respond to local needs.
By strengthening the independent patient and public voice, the reforms will help ensure that people have a greater say in how health and care services are designed and delivered.
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 the reforms in this area.
We will retain both Healthwatch England and Local Healthwatch, while strengthening them to ensure patient voices are heard and can influence real change across health and care services."