Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

NHS Accountability 2026-07-14

Tuesday 14 July 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Local Healthwatch organisations will transfer their functions to integrated care boards and local authorities.
  • ICBs will publish annual statements on patient feedback and actions taken.
  • The new patient experience directorate will ensure patient insight influences national policy.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Yasmin Qureshi Lab Bolton South East
NHS
Context

NHS accountability is under scrutiny, particularly regarding local Healthwatch organisations which provide an independent voice for patients. There are concerns that these functions may be moved to integrated care boards and local authorities.

Question

Local Healthwatch organisations provide an independent voice when services fall short. What safeguards will the Secretary of State put in place to ensure that as their functions are moved to the integrated care board and local authority, patients retain a genuine independent route to raise concerns? As the Local Government Association has warned, we cannot leave the NHS to mark its own homework.

Answer from James Murray

ICBs will be required to publish an annual statement of how they have gathered feedback and what actions they have taken, while the new patient experience directorate in the Department of Health and Social Care will ensure that patient insight directly shapes national policymaking.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify exact safeguards for retaining independent routes to raise concerns

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Q2 Yasmin Qureshi Lab Bolton South East
NHS
Context

NHS accountability is under scrutiny, particularly regarding local Healthwatch organisations which provide an independent voice for patients. There are concerns that these functions may be moved to integrated care boards and local authorities.

Question

Local Healthwatch organisations provide an important role by listening to patients and raising issues with services. What measures will the Secretary of State put in place to ensure patient feedback is heard when their functions are transferred?

Answer from James Murray

ICBs will be required to publish an annual statement of how they have gathered feedback and what actions they have taken, while the new patient experience directorate in the Department of Health and Social Care will ensure that patient insight directly shapes national policymaking.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify exact measures for ensuring patient feedback is heard post-transfer

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Q3 Jeremy Hunt Con South West Surrey
NHS
Context

There are concerns that trust lawyers advise trusts to ignore their duty of candour when there is the prospect of legal action, affecting accountability for bereaved parents.

Question

The Secretary of State knows of my concern about the lack of accountability to bereaved parents because trust lawyers advise trusts to ignore their duty of candour. Will the issue be addressed in the Health Bill so that parents know trusts will always tell the truth after a tragedy?

Answer from James Murray

The amendments he tabled will not be voted on today, but I understand that they raise an important issue. The Hillsborough law is due to have its Commons stages completed and will apply the duty of candour to future maternity services reviews such as those in Leeds and Sussex.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to addressing the legal advice affecting duty of candour in the Health Bill

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