Health Bill 2026: Why it matters and why we are speaking up
The Health Bill currently progressing through Parliament proposes some of the most significant changes to NHS governance and accountability in recent years. Alongside the abolition of NHS England and wider reforms to NHS structures, the Bill would abolish Healthwatch and transfer many of its functions to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and local authorities.
The Government states that the Bill aims to simplify NHS structures, strengthen ministerial accountability, create a Single Patient Record, reform patient safety arrangements and introduce changes to local NHS governance. However, the proposed abolition of Healthwatch has prompted widespread concern from patient groups, charities, health policy organisations and local authorities.
What is Local Healthwatch Working Together?
Local Healthwatch Working Together is a collaborative group of local Healthwatch organisations from across England. The group was formed to ensure that patient and public voices are represented during the parliamentary scrutiny of the Health Bill and to provide collective evidence on the potential impact of abolishing Healthwatch.
The network brings together local Healthwatch organisations that work daily with residents, patients, carers and communities to understand people's experiences of health and social care services. By working collectively, the group can highlight national themes while drawing on evidence and examples gathered from local communities across England.
Why Has the Group Submitted Evidence?
The joint submission focuses primarily on Clause 65 of the Bill, which would abolish Healthwatch and transfer its functions to ICBs and local authorities. The submission argues that these changes risk weakening:
- Independent patient and public voice
- Public confidence in raising concerns about services
- Patient safety and scrutiny
- Engagement with seldom-heard communities
- Access to independent health and care information
- Community-led insight and service improvement activity
- Local accountability and transparency mechanisms
The submission highlights concerns that while functions may be transferred, the Bill does not replicate key safeguards that currently underpin Healthwatch, including statutory independence, transparency and accountability.
Why Does Independence Matter?
For more than a decade, local Healthwatch organisations have provided an independent route for people to share concerns, experiences and ideas about health and social care services. Many people approach Healthwatch precisely because it sits outside NHS and local authority structures. The joint submission argues that this independence helps build trust, particularly among vulnerable and seldom-heard groups.
The Health Foundation's evidence to Parliament similarly notes concerns that abolishing Healthwatch could weaken independent public voice and recommends that any replacement mechanism should retain independence, sufficient resources and the ability to gather local insight effectively.
Making a Collective Impact
By bringing together evidence from communities across England, the Local Healthwatch Working Together submission demonstrates the scale of Healthwatch's contribution to:
- Patient safety and quality improvement
- Community engagement and outreach
- Supporting people to navigate health and care services
- Representing seldom-heard communities
- Informing local and national decision-making
- Driving improvements through evidence-based recommendations
The submission reflects the experiences of local Healthwatch organisations working with thousands of residents every year and highlights the value of maintaining an independent public voice within health and care systems
How You Can Get Involved
Parliament invited written evidence from anyone with relevant expertise, lived experience or an interest in the Health Bill. Contributions from patients, carers, professionals, voluntary organisations and community groups help inform parliamentary scrutiny of the legislation.
You can learn more about the Bill and how the evidence process works on the UK Parliament website
Health Bill: Call for Evidence
Read Other Evidence Submissions
A number of organisations have already submitted evidence to Parliament on the Health Bill. We encourage you to read a range of perspectives as the Bill progresses.
The Health Foundation
The Health Foundation's submission supports scrutiny and amendment of several areas of the Bill, including concerns about centralisation of power and the proposed abolition of Healthwatch.
NHS Alliance
The NHS Alliance has also submitted written evidence to the Public Bill Committee, offering its perspective on the proposed reforms.
Full Joint Submission
Local Healthwatch Working Together Submission
Read the full joint submission from local Healthwatch organisations across England highlighting the importance of independent patient voice, community engagement and accountability in health and care services.
