The government has announced a reprieve for Healthwatch, including the Brighton and Hove branch of the watchdog, having announced their abolition last year.<\/p>\n
The U-turn was announced today (Wednesday 28 October) by the Health Secretary Yvette Cooper after more than a year of uncertainty.<\/p>\n
Healthwatch Brighton and Hove said: \u201cHealthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations are to be retained.<\/p>\n
\u201cHealthwatch Brighton and Hove has welcomed the government\u2019s decision, announced today, to withdraw proposals to abolish local Healthwatch organisations and Healthwatch England.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe announcement means that local Healthwatch services will continue to operate within local communities, ensuring that the experiences of patients, carers and service users remain at the heart of decisions about health and social care.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the past 18 months, uncertainty about the future of Healthwatch has raised concerns about how people\u2019s voices would continue to be heard across the health and care system.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government has now confirmed not only that Healthwatch will remain but that it intends to strengthen the role of patient and public voice in shaping services.\u201d<\/p>\n
Geoffrey Bowden, chair of Healthwatch Brighton and Hove, said: \u201cAfter months of uncertainty, it is a relief that ministers have had the courage to recognise that proposals to abolish Healthwatch England and the network of local Healthwatch, such as our own in Brighton and Hove, were mistaken.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstead, they have understood the need to build on and strengthen Healthwatch to provide robust independent scrutiny of how health and social care services are delivered to the communities that rely on them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis announcement provides reassurance that local people will continue to have an independent organisation championing their views and experiences.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs reforms are developed, it will be essential that the distinctive strengths of local Healthwatch organisations are protected, particularly our independence, our connection to local communities, and our ability to bring forward the voices of people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Healthwatch Brighton and Hove chief executive Alan Boyd said: \u201cWe are delighted that the government has recognised the importance and value of Healthwatch, both locally and nationally.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery day, we hear from people across Brighton and Hove about their experiences of using health and social care services.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir insights help services understand what\u2019s working well, where improvements are needed and how care can be made fairer and more accessible.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis decision is recognition of the vital role that independent patient and public voice plays in improving health and care.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is also a tribute to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, board members and partners who have continued to champion local people\u2019s experiences throughout a prolonged period of uncertainty.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe past year has been a period of huge uncertainty for\u00a0Healthwatch staff and volunteers. The loyalty and dedication they have shown during such a difficult time has been amazing. In paying tribute to them, today\u2019s\u00a0announcement enables us all to face the future with confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe look forward to working with government, Healthwatch England, Brighton and Hove City Council, NHS partners and local communities to help shape the next phase of Healthwatch and ensure the voices of local people continue to drive positive change.\u201d<\/p>\n
If the proposal to abolish Healthwatch had gone ahead, it would have marked the end of independent statutory services which have existed since 1974 when Community Health Councils (CHCs) \u2013 the forerunner to Healthwatch \u2013 were set up.<\/p>\n