Healthwatch Shropshire responds to two landmark reports that will reshape healthcare in England
You may have seen news coverage about the Government's intention to abolish Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch bodies as part of the DASH Review recommendations. We understand this may raise questions about our future and ability to continue advocating for you.
Be assured Healthwatch Shropshire continues as usual. We are actively working with Shropshire Council (who commission the service) and local health partners to understand the full implications. We felt it was important to address this key concern first before examining the broader implications of both reports for our community.
The DASH Review provides 9 recommendations for streamlining the patient safety landscape. It maps organisations impacting quality across the health system, focusing on six key national organisations affecting safety and examining how bodies work together to protect patients while improving accountability and coordination.
The NHS 10 Year Health Plan, published in July, delivers fundamental changes to health service structure, funding, and delivery. It focuses on three key shifts from hospital to neighbourhood, analogue to digital, and treatment to prevention, all underpinned by patient empowerment and health equity. The plan seizes opportunities from new technologies, medicines, and innovations to deliver better care for all patients.
Working alongside the local Shropshire Plan these reports create key changes that will directly impact how you access healthcare. Care will move closer to home through neighbourhood-based services, bringing healthcare to where you live and work with more services available in GP practices, community centres, and through digital platforms. The digital-first approach will change how you book appointments, access medical records, and communicate with healthcare professionals. Working with partners we will aim to minimise the impact of the digital divide by reducing barriers to this digital-first approach.
The shift toward prevention over treatment represents a fundamental change in healthcare philosophy, focusing on keeping you healthy through better screening, lifestyle support, and early intervention rather than waiting until you are unwell. Meanwhile, stronger patient safety architecture through a streamlining of services and better coordination between safety organisations of which we are part of will provide clearer accountability resulting in more effective learning from incidents and better patient protection across all care settings.
As your local Healthwatch, we serve as your independent voice in the healthcare system. Our role becomes even more crucial during significant change. We are still here to monitor implementation by tracking how these plans translate into real improvements in local services, while amplifying your voice to ensure your experiences and concerns shape our response to changes. We will advocate to ensure these improvements benefit everyone in our community, not just those who are digitally connected or most vocal and help bridge communication gaps by translating complex policy changes into practical information you can use. Whatever structural changes may come, we remain committed to being your independent advocate.
The publication of these reports demonstrates the importance of Change NHS by gathering public views and having a national conversation to help shape the future of the NHS. The next decade promises to be transformative for healthcare in England. Together, we can ensure this transformation serves everyone in our community.
