Important Update on the Future of Healthwatch

Official Statement from Healthwatch Bury.

Significant changes are expected following the government’s announcement on Friday 27 June to abolish Healthwatch England and the local Healthwatch network. This announcement coincides with the publication of the new NHS 10-Year Plan on Thursday 3 July, which outlines broader reforms across the health and care system. Further details were published in the Dash Review, published on Monday, 7th July.

Despite this period of uncertainty, Healthwatch Bury remains fully committed to supporting our communities in matters related to health and social care. We continue to champion and amplify the voices of local people, ensuring their experiences inform and improve services. We will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

In response to the announcement, Healthwatch Bury held an emergency board meeting on Friday to assess the implications of the proposed changes. We are also actively engaging with Bury Council and locally elected representatives to discuss the future of an independent public voice in health and care. Our priority is to ensure that the needs of our communities remain central to any decisions made.

For over a decade, Healthwatch has worked independently to ensure people’s experiences shape better health and care services. In Bury, we have helped residents access urgent care, challenged poor practice, and built trusted partnerships with providers and commissioners. Our insights have helped drive meaningful change — from raising concerns about access to vital medication, to supporting local people to find an NHS Dentist given the gaps in dental services. 

The loss of Healthwatch’s independent voice would have significant consequences, particularly for vulnerable individuals who rely on us to speak up on their behalf. Without this advocacy, many would struggle to navigate complex systems, and their concerns may go unheard. The absence of Healthwatch would also place additional pressure on other organisations, including councils, NHS providers, and voluntary groups, who may not have the capacity to fill this gap.

This change risks destabilising the entire system, removing a critical function that ensures accountability, transparency, and responsiveness in health and care. The result would be a loss of vital insights, reduced public trust, and diminished service quality — especially for those most in need.

Healthwatch was established under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Until any legislative changes are enacted, our statutory duty remains, and we will continue to operate with independence, integrity, and purpose.