Healthwatch and the NHS Modernisation Bill

The NHS Modernisation Bill sets out proposals that would change the current arrangements for how patient and public voices are represented in health and social care.

Under the Bill as currently drafted, Healthwatch England’s functions would transfer to the Department of Health and Social Care. It also proposes that the statutory arrangements for Local Healthwatch organisations would end, with some functions potentially delivered through Integrated Care Boards and local authorities.

It is important to emphasise that these are proposals at this stage. The Bill will go through Parliament and may be subject to amendment before any changes are finalised.

What does this mean for the public?

For now, nothing has changed in practice. Local Healthwatch organisations continue to operate as the independent voice of people using health and social care services.

We will continue to:

• Listen to people’s experiences of care
• Provide information and advice about local services
• Share feedback and evidence with services to support improvements

Your voice remains central to how services are shaped and improved. We encourage people to continue sharing their experiences.

What does this mean for partners?

We will continue working with partners across health and social care and sharing insight from the public to support improvement.

We recognise that the proposals may raise questions about the future arrangements for patient voice functions. We are committed to engaging constructively as the Bill progresses.

What happens next?

We are working hard to urge decision-makers to ensure that there remains a strong, independent mechanism for public feedback — one that is accessible, trusted and accountable.

We will continue to monitor the progress of the Bill and share updates as the Parliamentary process continues and further detail becomes available.

We want to thank all of our volunteers for their dediaction, positivity and expertise. Our volunteers are key to the work we've been able to achieve over the last 13 years and we thank them and our communities and partners for their continued support of our role and work.