‘Mistake' to close health watchdog service, says York manager

Yahoo

3 days ago

The manager of Healthwatch York has said government plans to close the watchdog service are a 'mistake' – and called on local and national leaders to rethink the proposals.
Siân Balsom said she is still 'reeling from the news' that the country-wide Healthwatch Network is to close, with the service's role due to be absorbed into local councils and integrated care boards.
But Ms Balsom, writing in The Press, said: 'We're not giving up or giving in just yet.'
She said Healthwatch York started in April 2013 to put people 'at the heart of health and social care'.
And Ms Balsom said York residents can 'keep using and keep relying' on the service until the closure has been finalised.
'We're not giving up or giving in just yet,' says Healthwatch York manager
The Healthwatch network is an independent statutory body which patients can contact to improve NHS standards of care.
But under the government's plans, people will be encouraged to share their feedback via the NHS app instead.
The health secretary, West Streeting, has said 'there are way too many checkers and not enough doers' in the health system.
Responding to questions about the closure of Healthwatch England at the Local Government Association's annual conference in Liverpool, he said: 'I think there are lots of ways in which we have tried to create new bodies to fulfil the failure of other parts of the state to do their job effectively.
'I mean, the revolution we're leading in patient voice will mean we can get rid of some of the intermediaries, and we don't need ventriloquists to speak for patients, patients can speak for ourselves if we're given the opportunity to do it.'
Siân Balsom, manager of Healthwatch York (Image: Supplied) Ms Balsom said she did 'not recognise this description of our work' from the health secretary.
'We ARE doers,' she said. 'We're out and about week in, week out, visiting care homes, local libraries, sitting down with carers groups and disabled people's organisations, community groups and local charities.
'We work closely with our voluntary sector partners to amplify the voices of those least heard in health and care.
'And we choose our priorities based on what you tell us every day – with more than 160 people in York speaking to us in June 2025 alone.'
Ms Balsom said Healthwatch York has 'supported people to navigate complex systems and access the help they need'.
'We've published guides to mental health and wellbeing support and dementia support.
'We've challenged gaps in mental health support both when our mental health hospital was closed at short notice and when we heard ongoing concerns about crisis care.
'We've worked to improve access to GP services.
'We've independently evaluated the changes to the adult ADHD and autism pathway.
'We've taken the concerns of deaf people to the heart of the NHS, helping shape the Accessible Information Standard.'
Ms Balsom described the proposals to close the Healthwatch Network as a 'mistake'.
'We urge local and national leaders to reflect on what will be lost if Healthwatch is stripped of its independence,' she said.
'An effective health and social care system must include a strong, visible, and impartial patient voice, one that listens without fear or favour, and speaks up without interference.'