Vulnerable people face huge risks of harm if a health and care watchdog is axed – as the government intends – according to two Brighton and Hove councillors.
The pair are asking the whole council to back their campaign to save Healthwatch after the Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced its abolition.
Green councillor Raphael Hill and Brighton and Hove Independent councillor Mark Earthey have joined forces to ask all councillors to support a national petition asking the government to review its decision.
They also want the Labour leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, Bella Sankey, to write to the Labour Health Secretary urging him to retain the independent voice of the patient.
They are also concerned that the abolition of the network of local Healthwatch organisations would, in effect, leave councils and the NHS in charge of marking its own homework.
At Hove Town Hall next Monday (13 October), the two councillors plan to ask the full council to support a motion aimed at trying to save the watchdog.
Their “notice of motion” said: “Concerns should be raised about having councils and ICBs (integrated care boards) marking their own homework, especially at a time when ICBs are having their budgets cut by 50 per cent.”
Both Councillor Hill and Councillor Earthey have experience of working with Healthwatch Brighton and Hove and said that they valued its independent scrutiny.
Councillor Hill said: “On a personal level, I’ve engaged directly with Healthwatch when they’ve gathered very useful data about TNBI (trans, non-binary and intersex) people experiences with healthcare.
“We need an independent body to do this as my community is less likely to give information to the NHS directly as there is a lack of trust towards them.
“Healthwatch also covers social care services. I think the council has a duty ensure it is not marking its own homework when social care costs are rising.
“There are huge risks of harm to vulnerable people which can be swept under the carpet without Healthwatch.”
Councillor Earthey said: “I am a user. My wife’s case was being investigated by Healthwatch but, like many others, is now on the back-burner while Healthwatch fights for its survival.
“I am incensed, as is my daughter, because Labour is clearly betraying the vulnerable people who rely on Healthwatch as an independent channel of scrutiny and complaint.”
Healthwatch Brighton and Hove has been praised by hospital trust bosses for making recommendations that have improved patient care and, in doing so, saved public money.
It also helped to promote a key evidence-gathering survey last year, inspiring the best ever take up for the NHS locally and for public health officials at Brighton and Hove City Council.
Healthwatch Brighton and Hove has engaged with nearly 38,000 residents since 2013.
The two councillors are asking the full council to note that the abolition of Healthwatch would end 50 years of “consecutive government support” for the independent patient and service user voice.
The Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, Siân Berry, has asked a parliamentary question on behalf of Healthwatch.
The full council is due to meet at 4.30pm next Monday (13 October) at Hove Town Hall. The meeting is scheduled to be webcast.
This costs the rate payers £178,000 per annum. I think that money could be better applied than financing a pointless quango which duplicates work done by other bodies.
Healthwatch in Brighton and Hove have done some really good work, and the loss of this type of independent scrutiny is just another example of a backward decision made by this Labour government.
At every point a health watch organisation begins to show it’s effectiveness, the government shuts it down.
Go check the history!
Losing Healthwatch; or more specifically, losing an independent layer of oversight and local public-health research; is deeply concerning. We’ve already seen the damage that follows when accountability gaps open between the ICB, CCG, PCT and whatever three-letter acronym it was being redressed as at the time.
Even the simplest questions; such as where the city should target its resources to improve healthcare, can’t be answered without a strong local evidence base. Mike suggests a saving of £178,000 a year, but taxpayers end up paying far more when that independent scrutiny disappears through ineffective programmes, increased demand on GPs, and a lack of a preventative approach.