A victory for the public voice: Healthwatch is here to stay
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Yvette Cooper, announced on 28 October 2026 that the Government is dropping its plans to abolish Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations. Instead, Healthwatch will be retained and strengthened, recognising the importance of giving patients and the public an independent voice in health and social care.
This is welcome news for residents of Barking and Dagenham, who will continue to have an independent local organisation championing their views and experiences of health and social care services.
Through Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham, residents can:
- Share their experiences of local NHS and social care services.
- Raise concerns and highlight where improvements are needed.
- Help influence decisions about local health and care services.
- Access information and signposting to relevant services.
The Government has also indicated that Healthwatch will have a stronger role in identifying recurring concerns and highlighting where action is needed to improve services.
Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham welcomes this announcement. We would like to thank everyone who has shared their experiences, supported our work and helped ensure that local voices are heard. Your feedback matters!