Independence of Healthwatch England

That this House notes with concern proposals in the NHS 10-year health plan to abolish Healthwatch England and the network of 152 local Healthwatch bodies; recognises that Healthwatch England is an independent statutory body that ensures NHS leaders listen to feedback and improve standards of care, is impartial, and enables the public to be involved in shaping services; believes that absorbing these functions into the organisations they are meant to scrutinise risks undermining impartiality, public confidence and democratic accountability; further notes with concern reports that the National Guardian’s Office and other patient safety bodies have been absorbed or side-lined, weakening independent scrutiny; acknowledges that these proposals come at a time of significant change across the NHS and local government when an independent voice for patients and residents is needed more than ever; and calls on the Government to halt any plans to abolish Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch, protect their statutory independence and funding, and ensure robust, transparent and democratically accountable patient and public involvement, to protect patient safety and improve care.