Healthwatch closure: Understanding the shift in healthcare accountability

What’s next for whistleblowing in the NHS - Protect - Speak up stop harm

So farewell National Guardian’s Office – the home of Freedom to Speak Up guardians (FTSU) and the champion for openness and transparency within the NHS. After just over 9 years since it was created following the recommendations from Sir Robert Francis KC’s “Freedom to Speak Up” review, the NHS agency is being closed and enveloped into the work of NHS England.  statement from the National Guardian's Office The government’s new 10…

Our Response to Government Decision to End Local Healthwatch Services

Healthwatch West Berkshire have expressed serious concern over the Government’s decision as part of the NHS 10-year plan and following on from the Penny Dash report, to stop commissioning local Healthwatch services subject to new legislation being passed and move them ‘in-house’. It warns this change will undermine the independence and effectiveness of public voice in health and social care.  “The Government’s decision is deeply concerning and o…

Healthwatch closure: Understanding the shift in healthcare accountability

As a firm dedicated to upholding patient rights and securing justice for those harmed by medical negligence, we have been following closely the developments regarding the UK Government’s recent announcement of the proposed abolition of Healthwatch England and the extensive network of local Healthwatch organisations. While framed as a move to streamline bureaucracy, this decision risks removing a vital “tool” for patient advocacy and services reg…