Healthwatch Norfolk is joining colleagues across the country by asking for a rethink over the future of the organization.
Its chief executive Alex Stewart has added his voice to calls for a meeting with the Health Secretary Wes Streeting to highlight the importance of the Healthwatch network.
Last month, the Secretary of State announced plans to close down Healthwatch organizations nationwide branding staff ‘pen-pushers’ and ‘box-tickers’ to journalists.
But in a strongly worded letter to him, the Healthwatch network says its demise will mean patients lose the right to raise concerns with an independent body which offers unbiased advice while holding the health and social care system to account.
The document says Healthwatch was created following the inquiry into the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust which found systemic failures in listening.
Now Mr. Streeting and his team are suggesting this work can be done in-house by NHS trusts and local councils.
What does the letter say?
It says: “Bringing patient voice functions in-house risks creating a system where feedback is filtered, inconvenient truths are softened, and accountability is diluted. It sends the wrong message at a time when public trust in institutions must be rebuilt, not eroded.
“We have countless examples of where patients have chosen to share their experiences with local Healthwatch instead of providers, due to fear of repercussions, previous dismissal, or lack of access. Patients often tell us we are the first service to truly listen and the only one that follows up to ensure they receive the support needed.”
The Chief Executives are now asking for a meeting with Mr. Streeting, calling for a strengthening of independence around sharing feedback.
Reaction
Alex Stewart, chief executive of Healthwatch Norfolk, said: “The importance of an independent patient voice cannot be over-stated. Most recently, we carried out a lot of work to gather feedback and evidence over the importance of the Norwich Walk-In Centre, and Vulnerable Adults Service. Who will do this work independently in the future if vital care and support services like these have the axe hanging over them again?
“We also hear time and time again from patients and their families that they fear making a fuss or a formal complaint because they worry their GP will stop seeing them or they will be moved down a hospital waiting list for being a trouble-maker. Factual or not, that is their perception.
“Healthwatch Norfolk also works hard to make sure people listen to us. From consultation over the walk-in centre being stopped or the creation of a carers charter through to the introduction of quieter buzzers in a care home, we can give managers independent insight and recommendations that can help make things better for patients, people being cared for, their families and friends.
“We would want to be reassured there is some independent way for people to share their feedback or get additional support when Healthwatch is no more rather than Mr. Streeting’s suggestion of organizations effectively marking their own homework.”
