Government launches Healthwatch England

pharmafile | October 2, 2012 | News story | Sales and Marketing |  HealthWatch, NHS, government 

The government has launched Healthwatch England, a new statutory body whose role is to ensure the public’s voice is heard at the national level.

Creating a consumer champion for health and social care in England is part of the coalition’s vision set out in the White Paper ‘Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS’.

“We want to put people at the heart of our health and care services and Healthwatch England will play a vital part in these plans,” said health minister Norman Lamb.

“It will make sure that people have a stronger voice and greater influence, through the experiences they share about their care, to drive improvements,” he concluded.

Anna Bradley, who chairs the new body, explained: “Our job is to argue for what is in the interest of those who use services. Health and social care can be a complex world to understand, however our starting point is simple: it’s about people – their experiences, and needs.”

She said that Healthwatch England will actively seek views from all sections of the community to build a ‘national picture’ of what matters most to local people.

“[We will] make sure their views and experiences are really listened to, analysed and acted upon,” Bradley added. “Better health and social care services has to be the result.”

Adam Hill