What the NHS Modernisation Bill Could Mean for Patient Voice Locally
The Government has recently introduced the NHS Modernisation Bill, which proposes a number of changes to the structure and responsibilities of organisations across the health and care system in England.
Among the proposals are changes relating to how patient and public feedback is gathered nationally and locally, including the future role of Healthwatch organisations.
At this stage, the bill is still progressing through Parliament and no immediate changes are being made to local Healthwatch services. The legislation is expected to go through several stages of parliamentary scrutiny and discussion before any final decisions are made or implementation arrangements confirmed.
The proposals outlined in the bill include:
- Removing the current statutory requirement for local authorities to commission local Healthwatch services
- Introducing new responsibilities for Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to gather views on healthcare services
- Introducing new responsibilities for local authorities to gather views on adult social care and public health services
- Changes to the national Healthwatch structure and functions
Further guidance and detail about how these arrangements may work in practice is expected to be developed over the coming months.
At , our focus remains on listening to local people and ensuring experiences of health and social care services help inform improvements across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Every year, we hear from thousands of residents about their experiences of:
- GP services
- Hospitals
- Mental health support
- NHS dentistry
- Pharmacies
- Community healthcare
- Adult social care services
- Care homes and home care support
This feedback helps identify what is working well, where people are facing challenges, and where changes may be needed.
Our work includes:
- Speaking directly with local communities and voluntary groups
- Carrying out Enter and View visits to health and social care services
- Gathering feedback through surveys, engagement events and outreach
- Sharing evidence and recommendations with decision-makers
- Helping people access information about local services and support
Independent patient and public feedback plays an important role in helping services understand people’s experiences and improve care across both healthcare and adult social care services.
We recognise that many people may have questions about what these proposals could mean in the future. While discussions continue nationally, local people can continue sharing their experiences and feedback with Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough in the same way they do now.
As more information becomes available through the parliamentary process and national guidance, we will continue to keep local communities and partners informed.
We invite members of the community to have their say on the future of Healthwatch at our in-person meeting, details of which can be found below.
Meeting: What should the future of Healthwatch look like?
Join an open discussion on the future of local Healthwatch services ahead of proposed national changes.
Date: Thursday 4th June 2026
Time: 10:30am – 12pm
Location: Peterborough City Council, Sand Martin House, Bittern Way, Peterborough, PE2 8TY
All welcome, no booking required. Please get in touch if you have any accessibility requirements by emailing enquiries@healthwatchcambspboro.co.uk
