Green MP warns Health Bill could silence patients' voices

Green MP warns Health Bill could silence patients' voices

Adrian Ramsay, Green MP for Waveney Valley, voices concern over the proposed abolition of independent patient and public voices such as Healthwatch.

Speaking during the Health Bill debate earlier this week, Adrian highlighted concerns from local health groups. He said

 “It beggars’ belief that, as currently drafted, the Health Bill abolishes the statutory duty that underpins independent patient and public voice, including the entire network of Local Healthwatch organisations.

“The Bill risks weakening accountability across the health and care system. It removes clear protections for independent scrutiny, including powers to conduct visits to health and social care settings. The Bill fails to specify who will be responsible for maintaining these vital functions in future.

“For more than 50 years, Governments of all stripes have recognised the importance of an independent voice for patients. Organisations such as Healthwatch in Norfolk and Suffolk play a crucial role in ensuring that patients are heard, and services are held to account.

“This bill risks ending that long-standing commitment. The Government must rectify this and guarantee that patients continue to have a strong, independent voice at the heart of our health and care system.” 

ENDS

Full intervention is available here https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-01/debates/A2EAF490-72AB-4F7E-998F-3108BD40F89A/HealthBill - contribution-72F15BB3-2F18-418D-923A-CEF45E2B982E