The NHS Alliance response to the decision to retain Healthwatch

Responding to the government's announcement that Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations will no longer be abolished, the chief executive of the NHS Alliance, Sir Ciarán Devane, said:

"We welcome this decision.

"It is good to see the government is listening to concerns that we and others have raised about the importance of independent patient advocacy in the NHS.

"The central objectives of the Health Bill – streamlining national NHS structures and creating a single patient record - remain sound. 

"However, the concessions on the Bill, including on the abolition of HSSIB and now, Healthwatch, demonstrate that there is considerable support for transparent and independent regulation of healthcare delivery. 

"This is something that our members are keen to see and we will continue to push for changes that empower leaders and encourage fair and transparent decision-making, such as an independent appointments process for Chairs and NEDs, and more safeguards in decision-making for the Secretary of State."