Patients deserve an independent voice
Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen responds to recent announcements made about the future of the Healthwatch network in the national press and the importance of independence and transparency.
This weekend, national media outlets including the BBC and the Daily Mail reported that the Government’s forthcoming ten-year health plan will see the closure of Healthwatch organisations, the National Guardian’s Office and the Health Services Safety Investigations Body.
For over twelve years, Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen has provided an independent challenge to health and care services, commissioners and decision makers in the borough, placing the experiences and views of local people at the heart of change.
From supporting individuals to navigate complex systems to bringing vital local community feedback to national attention, we are proud of the partnerships we have built and the change we have delivered. Thousands of Blackburn with Darwen residents have been empowered to speak up, resulting in better, more responsive care and service improvement.
Sarah Johns, Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen Chief Officer, has issued the following response:
“Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch leaders were made aware of the news on Friday evening before it was made public on Saturday. We have received no explanation or any opportunity for consultation.
Our independent voice means that we can hold services to account when they are not meeting our residents’ needs and challenge them to better care for the health and wellbeing of our residents.
Our insights are both valued and acted upon by stakeholders. We are trusted as critical partners, and our independence allows us to speak truth to power. We are also trusted by our residents for them to share their experiences which are often personal and challenging and to act on their behalf.
Healthwatch was established under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to ensure that the voices of local people using health and social care services are heard and acted upon. Until that legislation is changed, and we will continue to support our residents to speak out.
We wait to hear the full implications of these changes and will share more information when we have it.
