questionText: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of transferring the functions of Healthwatch into Government or NHS bodies on patient representation; and what safeguards he will put in place to ensure (a) the independence of the patient voice, (b) public trust, and (c) accountability in patient engagement.
answerText: An impact assessment has been undertaken and published alongside the introduction of the Health Bill 2026. It outlines the non-monetised benefits, including the streamlining of the landscape and legislation, avoiding duplication of activity, and increased...
heading: Healthwatch