The LGA is calling on the Government to retain a statutory independent local patient ‘voice’ and work with councils to develop a model for patient and public voice that ensures accountability and independence across health and social care.
The NHS Modernisation Bill, announced in the King’s Speech, removes the current Healthwatch system for patient and public voice, without setting out an independent replacement.
NHS bodies and adult social care providers would gather and act on feedback about their own services.
The LGA warns this is a significant step back from the accountability framework established following the 2013 Francis Report into preventable failures in care at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.
Without an independent, local voice to challenge and represent communities, there is a risk of duplication and accountability gaps, and splitting responsibilities could create fragmentation.
Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the LGA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, said: “The current proposals to disband Healthwatch and allow health and social care services to gather and respond to feedback, rather than being challenged by an independent voice, risks organisations being seen to mark their own homework.
“It could also create confusion and frustration for people who, if drawing on both health and care, will need to approach two different parts of the system to share their views.
“We call on the Government to pause and work with local government and partners to develop a clear and workable model for local patient and public voice that maintains independence, joins up insight across health and social care, and delivers meaningful accountability.”