Health Bill update: Questions raised about how people’s experiences will be heard
The Bill includes proposals that could change the future role of Healthwatch locally and nationally. Under the proposals, the responsibilities currently carried out by local Healthwatch organisations could move into NHS organisations and local authorities.
MPs from across different political parties have raised concerns about what these changes could mean for people using health and care services, particularly around independence, accountability and how people will continue to share their experiences safely and openly.
At this stage, nothing changes for local people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Healthwatch Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will continue listening to people’s experiences, sharing what we hear, and using evidence to help improve care across our communities.
What happened in Parliament?
The Health Bill received a second reading in the House of Commons on Monday 1 June 2026.
This means MPs have debated the main principles of the Bill. The Bill will now move to a committee of MPs for more detailed examination.
The committee is expected to begin its work on 16 June 2026 and complete its scrutiny by 16 July 2026. MPs will be able to consider amendments, which means parts of the Bill could still change before it becomes law.
The next stages in the House of Commons and House of Lords are expected to continue later this year.
What did MPs say about Healthwatch
During the debate, Over 20 MPs from across different political parties raised concerns about the proposed abolition of Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations.
Some MPs called for the current arrangements to be kept. Others said that, if changes go ahead, there should still be an independent way for people to share their experiences and raise concerns, including those caring or supporting someone.
Concerns were also raised about how the proposed changes could affect people who already face barriers to getting the support, information or care they need, including people who may find it harder to speak up or be heard.
Several amendments have been proposed, including amendments that would remove the sections of the Bill relating to the abolition of Healthwatch England and the transfer of local Healthwatch functions.
The debate reflected wider questions about how people's experiences of health and social care will help shape decisions and improvements in future.
“I have had a look at the parliamentary record; Healthwatch has been mentioned over 100 times in the past five years. One key area of focus is its reporting and the insights it provides to Members of Parliament. Does the hon. Gentleman agree with me that whatever replaces Healthwatch must retain that research focus?”
What are other organisations saying?
Several respected organisations and commentators have also stressed the importance of making sure people continue to have an independent way to share their experiences and influence improvements in care.
Many have also questioned whether moving these responsibilities into NHS and local authority organisations (councils) could affect public confidence in the independence of the feedback process, particularly when Healthwatch has already built trusted relationships with people and communities across North Yorkshire.
National Voices, which represents more than 200 health and care charities, has also published a briefing on the Health Bill. It warns that the proposed changes could weaken accountability by transferring Healthwatch functions into NHS and government structures.
The Local Government Association has also called for an independent way for local people to share their experiences and influence decisions about health and social care. In its briefing on the Health Bill, it said local Healthwatch provides an independent source of insight and challenge.
The Patients Association has also highlighted the importance of maintaining trusted, independent routes for people to share their experiences and help shape improvements in health and social care in its response to The King's Fund report on the Healthwatch model.
Simon Denegri's article in The British Medical Journal has also raised concerns about the impact of the proposed reforms on how people's experiences of health and social care will be heard in future.
What does this mean for people in Nottingham & Nottinghamshire?
At this stage, nothing changes for local people. Nothing is expected to change until at least March 2027.
We still remains independent and continues to:
- listen to people’s experiences of health and social care
- provide information and helping people find advice, information and support
- publish reports, findings and recommendations
- share evidence with NHS and council organisations
- help local people have their voices heard
The proposals are still being considered by Parliament and could change before any final decision is made.
We will continue to follow developments and keep local people, volunteers, trustees and other organisations updated as the Bill progresses.
What happens next?
The Health Bill is still going through Parliament and could change before any final decisions are made. MPs are expected to continue examining the proposals over the coming months.
For now, our work continues as normal. We remain committed to making sure local people’s voices are heard and used to help shape better health and social care services across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
We will continue to keep local people, volunteers, partners and communities updated as more information becomes available.
