The 10-Year Health Plan: Our response - and what it means for you

Response - 7 July 2025

The Government has now published its 10-Year Health Plan for England — and while it sets out bold reforms for the NHS, it also confirms proposals to close Healthwatch as the "independent patient voice" as it currently exists.

We know many people will have questions, concerns, and frustrations about what this means — for you, your community, and how your voice will be heard in future.

Here’s what’s happening, what we know so far, and what it means.

A bold plan with real risks

The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan for England, shaped by feedback from over 250,000 people in England, including Healthwatch, NHS staff and the public, sets out a long-term vision for improving health and care. Many of the ideas reflect things Healthwatch has championed for years:

  • Better access to GPs and NHS dentists
  • Greater use of community pharmacies
  • A better NHS App
  • A simpler complaints system
  • Personalised mental health emergency care
  • A focus on patient experience, not just performance stats

If done well, these changes could make a real difference to people’s everyday care.

But alongside the ambition, the plan includes major changes to how your feedback is heard — and that’s where we have serious concerns.

What's proposed for Healthwatch:

 

  • Scrapping Healthwatch England, the national body that supports local Healthwatch teams and ending all 153 local Healthwatch, including Healthwatch Brent
  • Absorbing local Healthwatch health work into NHS Integrated Care Boards (those who manage the NHS spend locally) and NHS ''provider engagement''' teams
  • Passing Healthwatch's social care functions to local councils (also known as authorities)
  • Appointing a new National Director of Patient Experience, combining parts of Healthwatch and the Patient Safety Commissioner
  • Replacing community feedback with digital input via the NHS App, with systems expected to be in place by 2026

Why it matters to you

At the heart of this is a simple question: How will people be heard if independent Healthwatch no longer exists?

Since 2012, Healthwatch has been the statutory (legal) and independent champion for patients and the public. Our independence means we can speak honestly about what’s working — and what isn’t — without fear or favour.

We’ve helped thousands of people:

  • Understand and navigate local services
  • Share their experiences to shape change
  • Push for better access, quality, and safety
  • Improve services through detailed, evidence-based reports

We’re proud of that role. Losing it — or replacing it with digital-only systems or in-house NHS engagement — puts that independence, trust, and impact at risk.

Not everyone can use an app. And not every experience can be captured in a tick-box survey. Many people need a conversation, a trusted face, or a helping hand. That’s what we provide.

What happens next for Healthwatch?

For now, nothing has officially changed.

Healthwatch remains in place — locally and nationally. We continue to:

  • Listen to your experiences
  • Help you find the right care and advice
  • Share your feedback with those in power
  • Make sure your voice shapes future services

Any change would require a new Act of Parliament. This could take months or even years — and we expect further detail (including a review from Dr Penny Dash’s review of patient safety) to be published in July 2025.

We’ll keep you updated as soon as we know more.

Want to explore the plan in more detail?

Watch the full video above for a deeper look at what the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan means for health and care services across England.

You can read the Government’s full 10-Year Health Plan here.

Looking for information about health and care?

Find advice and information to help you stay well and make decisions about your health and social care support.

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