Healthwatch Tameside threatened with closure

A Healthwatch Centre in Tameside has been threatened with closure as part of wider government plans to reform health services in England.

Healthwatch Tameside is part of a network of centres across the country that work independently to gather feedback on local health and care services. 

Healthwatch England reports to Parliament every year to highlight issues or concerns within local services, and are also consulted on the annual NHS mandate, which sets the objectives for the NHS for the year ahead.

This week the Government announced plans to combine the Local Healthwatch health-related services with integrated care boards, and their care-related services directly with local authorities. 

The Government said the changes would "ensure greater clarity and improved effectiveness" in patient feedback regarding care planning, and make the organisations within integrated care boards more accountable. 

However, Healthwatch Tameside has expressed "deep concern" at the news, and said they feared the change would mean local health services would have no independent body to scrutinise them. 

Glyn Goodchild, the Chair of Healthwatch Tameside, said: “The Board, staff, and volunteers of Healthwatch Tameside express profound disappointment at the decision to disestablish Healthwatch. 

"It is clear to us that the removal of an independent patient champion from the core of the decision-making processes will significantly hinder both providers and commissioners in their ability to fully comprehend the perspectives of those most affected by health inequalities. 

"In these uncertain times, we commend the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and stakeholders, whose efforts have brought and continue to bring clarity, accountability, and compassion to an increasingly complex health and care system. 

"Right now, nothing has changed. Our commitment to amplifying local voices, especially those most affected by inequality, continues to remain at the heart of everything we do.”