Local Healthwatch leaders meet MPs to discuss Health Bill proposals
Published : 14 September 2026
Local Healthwatch leaders from across England gathered in Parliament on Monday 7 September to make the case for retaining and strengthening independent patient and public voice, as proposals in the Health Bill to abolish local Healthwatch continue to make their way through the legislative process.
The parliamentary drop-in session, Protecting independent public voice, local Healthwatch and the Health Bill, gave MPs and parliamentary staff the opportunity to speak directly with local Healthwatch leaders about the impact of their work, how it reaches marginalised communities, and the risks posed by the Bill’s current proposals.
Independent voice vital for marginalised groups
At the heart of the discussions was the argument that local Healthwatch provides a trusted, independent channel through which people can share their views and experiences of health and care services. This is considered especially valuable for those groups the system too often struggles to reach and who frequently experience the greatest health inequalities.
Attendees spoke about the positive impacts local Healthwatch have delivered, translating patient and public voice into actions that improve services. From improving digital healthcare access to addressing rural inequalities, leaders recognised the vital role of Healthwatch in improving services across the country. Attendees were given copies of the Local Healthwatch Impact Report 2025/26, which sets out highlights from the past year alone.
Attendees also discussed that the network delivers significant impact relative to its funding, pointing to the modest scale of local Healthwatch budgets when set against overall national spending on health and social care.
A recurring theme of the session was a concern about what would happen to Healthwatch functions should the Bill’s abolition proposals proceed. Attendees raised questions about local authorities and Integrated Care Boards, many of which are already contending with increasingly stretched resources, being asked to do more.
Looking ahead: Health Bill amendments
There was hope that the concerns raised would be reflected in amendments to the Health Bill, shifting its approach away from abolishing local Healthwatch and towards sensible reform that strengthens, rather than removes, independent patient and public voice. There are already indications these proposals will be reevaluated as the Bill moves to the House of Lords, with amendments to retain and strengthen independent patient and public voice under consideration.