Review decision to abolish independent local Healthwatch
News - 14 August 2025
Healthwatch Wirral has joined colleagues across England to promote a national petition to protect the independence of local voices in health and care, and we’re encouraging as many people as possible to sign and show their support.
The petition, ‘Review decision to abolish independent local Healthwatch’, asks the government to:
- Revisit its decision to remove independent local services that advocate for the public
- Consult with the public to co-design a service that meets their needs and supports NHS ambitions
- Invest in and strengthen independent services
Last month, the Dash Patient Safety Review was published. Its recommendations have been incorporated into the NHS 10-Year Health Plan, including proposals to transfer the functions of local Healthwatch into NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and local authorities.
This is despite the review acknowledging that:
“Healthwatch, while not solely a patient safety organisation, plays a crucial role in promoting patient safety by amplifying patient voices. Since 2013, Healthwatch has made a significant impact, aiding over a million people annually to voice their concerns and access advice.”
Very few local Healthwatch organisations were consulted, and it’s deeply concerning that patients and the public, the people we serve, were not invited to share their views. This undermines the government’s stated aim of placing “greater emphasis on the patient voice.” We believe the Dash Review does not fully reflect the breadth and depth of Healthwatch Wirral’s work. Our mission is to actively seek out voices that might otherwise go unheard, especially those most at risk of health inequalities. We build trusted relationships within our communities and with VCSE organisations to listen, understand people’s experiences, and connect them with the support they need.
Karen Prior, CEO of Healthwatch Wirral, Commented
“For over a decade, Healthwatch Wirral has been a trusted space where people can safely share their experiences. While the NHS 10-Year Plan outlines ambitions for gathering the voices of patients, it’s deeply concerning that the public, the very people we serve, were not consulted. We urge decision-makers to listen, engage with the public, and co-design a future model that protects every person’s voice.”
A vital function of Healthwatch Wirral is offering independent information and advice. We help people find appropriate support, understand their rights, navigate the complexities of NHS and social care systems, and access information in a way that works for them. This is particularly crucial for those who are vulnerable or unsure where to turn, and this vital work deserves far more recognition than it was given in the review.
Healthwatch Wirral’s core remit is to identify and highlight emerging trends and themes from the feedback we receive through email, phone calls, in-person conversations, surveys, and our online Feedback Centre. Anonymised data is shared with decision-makers to help improve health and care services across the region.
We are concerned that proposals to collect feedback solely through digital tools like the NHS App, and only from those who have already accessed services, cannot replicate the depth of engagement and insight Healthwatch provides. This approach risks excluding digitally excluded groups and those facing health inequalities, people who may never be heard without proactive outreach.
Our independence is what allows people to speak freely and honestly about their experiences. Without it, trust is lost, and feedback may go unheard.
We urge you to sign the petition and help protect the future of Healthwatch. Now more than ever, we need independent voices that champion patient safety, inclusion and transparency. We ask you to please share this with colleagues, friends, and your communities.
We will continue to keep you updated as more details become available. In the meantime, thank you for your continued support.