Abolishing patient watchdog leaves NHS 'marking own homework', councils warn

Abolishing the organisation which champions patient views on health and social care would leave the NHS "marking their own homework", a group representing local councils in England and Wales has warned.

Healthwatch is an independent body which represents the views of patients on their local health and social care providers to help improve the services they offer.

Speaking to BBC News, the Local Government Association (LGA) says that disbanding Healthwatch could create a "fragmented system" which would undermine accountability.

The Department for Health and Social Care says these changes will give patients a "stronger, clearer voice at the heart of health and social care".

The LGA says it's concerned by the lack of a plan for an alternative to Healthwatch, which currently challenges the NHS and providers of care services in the community, when patients or the public highlight problems.

They warn that disbanding Healthwatch would be a "significant step back" in accountability.

"Without an independent, locally rooted voice to challenge and represent communities, there is a risk of duplication and gaps in accountability," the LGA said.

It is calling on the government to "work with local government" and develop a "clear and workable model" which fulfills Healthwatch's role while maintaining independence.

Healthwatch is set to be scrapped as part of broader measures - which include the abolition of NHS England - to centralise the running of health and social care services under the Department for Health and Social Care.

The government says this will reduce bureaucracy and allow more resources to be delivered to frontline healthcare services.

The plans are being introduced in the NHS Modernisation Bill which is going through parliament and having its second reading on Monday 1 June.

Under these proposals, Healthwatch's responsibilities will be transferred to integrated care boards (ICBs) and local authorities, meaning they would have to respond to feedback about their own services, rather than being challenged by an independent body.

Councillor Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, chair of the Local Government Association's health and wellbeing committee, said this was akin to health services "marking their own homework".

The LGA is also concerned that this "fragmented approach" could widen the gap between health and social care, and she called on the government to work with local councils.

Healthwatch employs more than 500 staff and is supported by 4,000 volunteers across its national and local offices.

There are currently more than 150 local Healthwatch organisations in England whose powers also include:

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said abolishing Healthwatch England was part of plans "to simplify the patient safety landscape".

"By bringing the patient voice closer to decision-makers, people's experiences will have a more direct impact on services," a spokesperson said.

"We are reforming how the NHS operates to make it easier to access care. We value the work of local Healthwatch organisations, but these changes will give patients and service users a stronger, clearer voice at the heart of health and social care."