Lib Dems Urge Council Leaders to Oppose Loss of Independent Healthwatch

York Liberal Democrats are calling on City of York Council leaders to continue pressing the Government to protect independent patient advocacy services after reviewing the Government’s draft Health Bill.

Cllr Carol Runciman, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, has written to Council Leader Cllr Claire Douglas and Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care Cllr Lucy Steels-Walshaw following a cross-party motion agreed at Full Council.

The motion expressed concern about the Labour government’s proposals to abolish the current independent Local Healthwatch structure and transfer its functions directly into councils and Integrated Care Boards.

In her letter, Cllr Runciman warns that the legislation as currently drafted would remove an important independent voice for patients and residents.

Cllr Carol Runciman said:

“Independent patient advocacy is too important to lose. Healthwatch plays a vital role in ensuring patients and residents (particularly vulnerable people) can raise concerns and have their voices heard independently of the organisations delivering services.

“The Government’s draft Bill abolishes the existing Local Healthwatch structure and hands those responsibilities directly to councils and Integrated Care Boards. That risks undermining the independence patients need to have confidence in the system.”

The Liberal Democrats are urging the Government to amend the Bill so that any new arrangements explicitly require patient views to be gathered independently.

Cllr Runciman added:

“This should not be a party-political issue. At Full Council, members from across the council recognised the value of independent advocacy and supported calls for the Government to rethink these proposals.

“We are urging Labour’s council leaders to make representations to Ministers and local MPs to ensure independent patient representation is protected.”