Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Healthwatch organisations provide a crucial patient voice in healthcare services.
If he will make it his policy to retain Healthwatch, given its importance in ensuring patient voices are heard and acted upon.
The hon. Member highlights a decades-old system where patient voice was divorced from decision makers, with over 20 organisations involved. The Health Bill aims to integrate patient and user views directly into commissioning decisions locally and through the creation of a new patient experience directorate at the national level.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about retaining Healthwatch was not addressed directly.
Putting Views At Heart Of Decision Making
Creating A New Patient Experience Directorate
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Healthwatch plays a critical role in ensuring that underrepresented groups are heard.
The abolition of Healthwatch will see the NHS and Government marking their own homework. Can assurances be given about how patient voices, especially for those with learning disabilities, complex needs, and dementia, will be ensured to be heard?
The hon. Gentleman raises an important point about varied needs local commissioners need to address, which the Health Bill seeks to do by embedding patient views directly in commissioning decisions.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific assurances were provided.
Putting Views At Heart Of Decision Making
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Local Healthwatch organisations have played a crucial role in ensuring community services continue despite closure threats.
When Boots decided to close two pharmacies, leaving elderly and vulnerable residents without local provision, Healthwatch Richmond ensured a new community pharmacy was provided. How can the Minister ensure that locally led patient voices are not replaced by Whitehall officials or ICBs suffering budget cuts?
The hon. Lady raises an interesting example of where local commissioners failed to provide a service upon its disappearance, highlighting the need for taking different voices into account rather than outsourcing responsibility.
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Assessment & feedback
No reconsideration commitment was given.
Different Voices
Local Commissioners Doing Their Job
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Healthwatch York has produced reports leading to positive changes, illustrating the importance of independent advocacy.
Replacing Healthwatch will mean patients losing confidence in commissioners. Given examples where local healthwatches have successfully brought about change, can the government review clauses 64 and 65 of the Health Bill to maintain Healthwatch's independence?
The hon. Friend highlights local healthwatch success stories, but notes that not all approaches work universally and suggests ICBs should determine their roles locally.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific review commitment was made.
Different Local Circumstances
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Healthwatch Hartlepool has been instrumental in advocating for patient voices during system and service improvements.
While supporting the government's aim to drive out NHS bureaucracy, what can be done to ensure that local Healthwatch expertise is retained in any new system?
The hon. Friend's comments are acknowledged, and it is noted that ICBs can undertake roles locally as they see fit.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific steps were committed to retaining local expertise.
Icbs Determining Their Role Locally
Response accuracy