Local MP Munira Wilson is part of a coalition of Liberal Democrat MPs calling on the government to reverse its decision to abolish Healthwatch, warning that the move risks silencing patients' voices.

Wilson, has signed a letter to Dr Zubir Ahmed MP expressing deep concern that the abolition could undermine patient representation and accountability within health and care services.

Announcing the letter signed by 41 Liberal Democrat MPs on X (formerly Twitter), she said: "The government's decision to abolish Healthwatch is hugely concerning and risks patients' voices being lost."

The letter, led by Tom Gordon MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, argues that while NHS reform is needed after "years of mismanagement", independent patient advocacy "is not a luxury - it is essential to maintaining patient safety, confidence in services, and meaningful accountability".

The MPs warn that transferring Healthwatch's functions in-house to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) would eliminate an independent channel for patients and risks placing ICBs "in the conflicted position of both managing services and holding themselves to account".

Particular concern was raised about the lack of an impact assessment before the decision was taken.

In response to a written parliamentary question, the government confirmed no impact assessment has yet been conducted on the proposed changes.

The letter calls on the government to:

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• Reverse the decision to abolish Healthwatch
• Guarantee ring-fenced funding for independent patient advocacy services
• Ensure robust accountability mechanisms remain at local level
• Clarify how patient views will be independently heard across the NHS

The Liberal Democrat cross-party letter against the Healthwatch abolition decision (credit: Munira Wilson/X).

The letter states: "Healthwatch has played a vital role in amplifying patients' experiences, enabling advocacy, and supporting scrutiny."

The letter urges the Government to ensure "the principles of independence, accountability, and patient safety will not be compromised".

The MP told Nub News: "Liberal Democrats know that independent patient advocacy is vital to maintaining patient safety, confidence in services and meaningful accountability.

"With the NHS on its knees after 14 years of the Conservatives, now more than ever, we must ensure that patients are heard in every part of the system so the Government can bring about meaningful reform. 

"Healthwatch Richmond has stood up for patients time and time again, including securing a pharmacy in Hampton when Boots closed two branches.

"That is why scrapping Healthwatch, an organisation that has played a vital role in supporting scrutiny, is simply wrong."

The full letter can be read on Munira Wilson's X account.

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