Continuing to champion local voices as the Healthwatch network faces changes
This weekend, national media outlets including the BBC and the Daily Mail reported that forthcoming changes to Government policy will see the closure of Healthwatch organisations, the National Guardian’s Office and the Health Services Safety Investigations Body. These reports were confirmed today by the release of the 10-year health plan for England.
Healthwatch Kingston upon Thames provides independent challenge to health and care services, commissioners and decision makers in the borough, placing the experiences, views and concerns of local people at the heart of change.
From supporting individuals to navigate complex systems to bringing vital local community feedback to national attention, we are proud of the partnerships we have built and the change we deliver. Thousands of Kingston’s residents have been empowered to speak up, resulting in better, more responsive care and service improvement.
We will share further information about what the 10-year plan means for local people over the coming weeks as we begin to understand the impact the proposed changes will have.
Healthwatch Kingston upon Thames CEO, Stephen Bitti, responded;
“Whilst we welcome Government plans to improve health and care, we encourage the Secretary of State and his colleagues to personally read recently published local Healthwatch annual reports.
“For over a decade, Healthwatch has been effectively supporting a ‘megaphone to the mouth’ of patients, to help inform NHS and social care service developments. This independent challenge is something local government understands and values.
“Between April 2024 and March 2025, Healthwatch Kingston engaged over 7,000 people at community events and through surveys. Our website has provided quality information and signposting to over 16,500 different people. Our social media messaging has reached tens of thousands. We’ve independently listened to over 1,000 local experiences of health and social care services, including from the most vulnerable, often digitally excluded communities. And, we have used our statutory service role to communicate the voices of patients, service users and the public to those with the power to make a difference.”
Read our 2025-2025 Healthwatch Kingston Annual Report: Unlocking the power of people-driven care
Healthwatch was established under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to ensure that the voices of local people using health and social care services are heard and acted upon.
Currently, Healthwatch England have confirmed there is no clear timescale for these changes to take effect, but they will require legislation to be passed through Parliament. In the meantime, councils’ statutory obligations to commission local Healthwatch services will continue, and our duty remains.
Healthwatch Kingston upon Thames has been in conversation with Kingston Council since this announcement and will continue to work collaboratively.
Chief Executive of the Patients Association, Rachel Power, said:
"We await the publication of the Dash review to understand the rationale behind this decision and other changes. At this time, we are concerned about the impact this decision will have on staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to advocate for patients over the last decade.
"Local, independent and trusted patient organisations are not easily replaced. As the Government looks to reshape the health and care landscape, it must ensure that genuine patient partnership is enhanced, not lost, in the process. The voices of patients must remain at the heart of the journey towards a fairer, safer, and more responsive NHS."
Louise Ansari, Chief Executive of Healthwatch England, said:
"Over the past twelve years, we've helped thousands of people raise concerns, access vital advice, and influence real change in the local services they rely on.
"By championing the voice of people in Kingston upon Thames, we've helped drive real improvements across the NHS and social care—successes we understand the Government recognises
"Our focus now is on ensuring a smooth transition of our functions to the NHS and local Government, so that the voices of residents continue to be heard."
