Coventry City Council has unanimously backed a call for the Labour Government to reverse its plans to abolish Healthwatch, sending a strong cross-party message that the independent voice of patients must be protected.
The motion, proposed by Conservative Deputy Group Leader Cllr Mattie Heaven and seconded by Cllr Barbara Mosterman, received support from across the Council Chamber on Tuesday 8 September, following a similar unanimous vote at Warwickshire County Council.
Under Clauses 64 and 65 of the Health Bill, the Government plans to abolish Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations, transferring patient representation functions to bodies including local authorities and Integrated Care Boards.
Healthwatch provides an independent voice for patients, carers and families, particularly those who may not feel confident raising concerns directly with the organisations responsible for their care. It also has important “Enter and View” powers to visit health and social care settings and hear directly from patients and residents.
Cllr Mattie Heaven said:
“Healthwatch is valuable because it is independent. Transferring its responsibilities to the very organisations it may sometimes need to challenge risks asking the system to mark its own homework.
“What makes the Government’s position even harder to understand is that Andy Burnham, when he was Mayor of Greater Manchester, wrote to the Health Minister defending Healthwatch and its role as a trusted and impartial voice for patients. Now, as Prime Minister, we are asking him to stand by that position and withdraw Clauses 64 and 65.
“I am pleased Coventry councillors came together across party lines. Together with Warwickshire, we are sending a strong and united message: protect the independent patient voice.”
Cllr Barbara Mosterman, who works in the NHS and seconded the motion, said:
“Working in the NHS, I see how important honest patient feedback is and why people need somewhere independent to turn when they have concerns.
“Good care depends on trust, and patients need to know their voices can be heard independently. We should be strengthening that voice, not removing it.”
The motion also calls on Coventry City Council to work with the Integrated Care Board to maintain properly funded, independent patient representation locally and protect the important “Enter and View” function if the Government proceeds with its plans.