Changes made to the Health Bill will keep Healthwatch
The decision follows months of intense pressure from MPs, healthcare campaigners, local authorities, and patient groups who warned that abolishing local Healthwatch would leave vulnerable communities without a voice.
The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said: "Patients need a voice in our NHS. I’ve always been clear on the importance of people and communities having a say in local services and that’s why I said I would review all reforms in this area.
"We will retain Healthwatch England and Local Healthwatch, while strengthening them to ensure patient voices are heard and can influence real change across health and care services."
This means that Healthwatch Dorset will continue to be your local independent champion for health and care services.
Thank you
This decision has happened because people spoke up. Thank you to everyone in Dorset who backed us, our staff team and our amazing volunteers, everyone who shared their experiences with us, our local voluntary sector, NHS and Council colleagues and our local MPs.
What next?
Our work continues. We will keep listening to people across Dorset, especially those who find it hardest to access the services they need and have their voice heard. We will continue to share what we learn with the people who plan and run health and care services.
We expect more detail on the plans to strengthen Healthwatch in the coming weeks.
Louise Bate, Manager at Healthwatch Dorset, said: "We're delighted with the Government’s decision to amend the Health Bill to retain and reform Healthwatch.
"This decision recognises the vital role that an independent public champion plays in helping NHS and social care services understand people's experiences and bring about improvements to the care people receive.
"Over the last 16 months, our team, our volunteers and local Healthwatch leads across the country have worked tirelessly to demonstrate the value of the independent Healthwatch network. The incredible support we have received from the public and our colleagues has been really heartening in the face of such uncertainty.
"We look forward to strengthening public voice and working with local people to make a real difference to health and care services across Dorset."
