Healthwatch Shropshire Urges Public to Act Now to Protect Independent Voice in Health and Care

Proposed changes in the NHS 10 Year Plan could see Healthwatch England and 152 local Healthwatch bodies absorbed into local authorities and NHS Integrated Care Boards. These boards are responsible for commissioning services and overseeing their quality and safety.

This change would remove Healthwatch’s independence. Independence is essential for holding services to account and ensuring the public’s voice is genuinely heard.

Healthwatch has long been a trusted channel for people to share their experiences, especially those who are vulnerable or facing health inequalities. Without independence, feedback may be filtered, concerns may go unchallenged, and the public may lose confidence in speaking up.

“Thank you so much for listening to me, I can't explain how much it means.”

“You have made me feel as if I can breathe again and that I have been listened to.”

“You have been very kind and patient with me, listening to me, I really appreciate it.”

These are real voices. Real people. And they are telling us that independence matters.

Healthwatch is shaped by the voices of local people. The feedback and stories shared by the public help guide our priorities, inform our reports, and influence the recommendations we make. Every report we produce is publicly available, ensuring transparency and helping decision-makers understand what matters most to communities.

Why Independence Cannot Be Lost

Healthwatch is not just another service. It is a lifeline for those who feel ignored, overlooked, or unheard. Without independence:

• the public will lose a safe and trusted space to share concerns about health and care services
• transparency and accountability will be compromised if the watchdog becomes part of the system it is meant to scrutinise
• progress and improvement may slow without the constructive challenge that independent services provide

We Need Your Signature Now

This is not just a policy change. It is a fundamental shift in how the public is heard in health and care. If we lose our independent voice, we lose the ability to speak truth to power, to advocate for the vulnerable, and to ensure services truly reflect the needs of the people they serve.

Sign the petition today and help us protect the independence that makes Healthwatch Shropshire and every local Healthwatch, so vital.

Sign the petition today Review decision to abolish independent local Healthwatch - Petitions

Let’s make sure the voices of service users continue to shape the future of health and care. We cannot afford to lose them.