Standing Up for Public Voice in Health and Care
In light of the announcement that Healthwatch England is set to be abolished, Healthwatch North Lincolnshire has joined forces with over 130 local Healthwatch organisations in signing an open letter to Wes Streeting MP. Together, we’re calling for continued support for an impartial, independent voice representing patients, carers, and communities.
The letter urges Parliament to consider how public voice will be captured and championed within the 10-Year Health Plan. Healthwatch groups across the country-ours included-are united in asking for reassurance that the public will remain central to the development, delivery, and improvement of health services, with a trusted mechanism in place to ensure everyone is heard.
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Future of Healthwatch
On 3 July 2025, the Government released its 10-Year Health Plan for England. While it outlines some positive reforms to improve patient care, such as better GP and dental access, expanded pharmacy services, and improvements to the NHS App, it also includes plans to dismantle Healthwatch as an independent voice.
The plan sets out the following actions:
- Combine Local Healthwatch functions with Integrated Care Boards engagement teams.
- Transfer social care-related functions of Local Healthwatch to local authorities.
- Move Healthwatch England’s strategic functions to the new patient experience directorate within DHSC.
Since 2013 Healthwatch North Lincolnshire has helped thousands navigate care, raise concerns, and shape improvements through trusted, community based support.
Over the past year our work has included publishing 33 reports about the improvements people would like to see in areas such as pre and post diagnostic support for neurodiverse people. We have also completed 11 enter and view visits in care homes and attended a series of extraordinary Health and Wellbeing Board meetings and voted for the proposed changes to Scunthorpe Hospital to be postponed.
(For more information please see our Annual Report).
Healthwatch is completely independent, Removing this role risks silencing vulnerable voices and relying solely on digital systems that many cannot access.
What next for Healthwatch North Lincolnshire?
For now, it is business as usual. There will be no changes until towards the end of 2026, so rest assured that we are still here, and we will still continue to advocate for your rights and make sure you can access the support and advice you deserve.
For Healthwatch to be dismantled and taken ‘in house’ will take a change in legislation which will take time. This gives us the opportunity unite in our response to the decision and fight for what is right for our communities.
“Removing Healthwatch risks losing independent feedback, trust, and accountability. Your voice still matters, and we’re here to make sure it’s heard”