Healthwatch Croydon welcomes Government confirmation that the independent voice of the Public will be saved
This decision is the right one and means that it is business as usual for our Healthwatch Croydon team and volunteers, who will continue to support local health and care services into the future. We make a positive impact through gathering patient views and evidence, helping residents navigate and access health and social care, and working together with providers and commissioners to improve local services.
Healthwatch was established under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 specifically to understand the needs, experiences, and concerns of people who use health and social care services and to speak out on their behalf. In that time Local Healthwatch have helped millions of people raise concerns, access vital advice, and influence real change in the services they rely on.
In June last year the previous Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, announced that the government proposed to abolish Healthwatch England, which would also have led to the closure of over 100 local Healthwatch network across England. Over the last year, Healthwatch Croydon, managed by Public Voice, has been working together with the local Healthwatch network to challenge this.
The public need to be able to speak freely and be heard without fear or conflict of interest. Without a strong independent local presence and delivery through trusted community organisations the public’s voice risked becoming an internal process rather than genuine accountability.
"This is a very welcome government rethink on its proposals to abolish independent patient and public voice. Retaining and strengthening the local Healthwatch network provides a great opportunity to ensure patient and public voice is more influential than ever in shaping better services and outcomes for all."
The government will be taking further steps to strengthen and reform our existing Healthwatch structures and we will need to wait for more details about changes to our Healthwatch Croydon role, but we are already in a strong position with our local system to incorporate the new duties and ensure it meets local needs.
