Our Healthwatch 2024–2025 Annual Report Is Here
This year’s report highlights a selection of the real difference your voices have made to health and care services across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. From shaping improvements in mental health support, to making services more accessible for people with additional needs, your feedback has helped drive meaningful change.
Real Stories, Real Change
A time of uncertainty
We’re sharing this report at a time of great uncertainty. At the weekend, the Daily Mail reported that the upcoming Penny Dash Review will propose the closure of Healthwatch and other independent NHS bodies. Under the reported plans, funding would be moved in-house to Local Authorities and Integrated Care Boards to run their own public engagement.
We are deeply disappointed by this suggestion. Independence is not a luxury — it’s essential! Our ability to challenge, question, and advocate without fear or favour is what gives the public confidence that their voices are being heard and acted upon. Without it, the risk is that public engagement becomes a box-ticking exercise, rather than a powerful driver of accountability and improvement.
While the government considers changes to the Health and Care Act and the sector awaits clarity on the future, we remain here, continuing our work with local people, supporting our volunteers, and ensuring that patient and public voices are not only heard, but respected.
We’re incredibly proud of the work we’ve done, and incredibly grateful to all of you who’ve shared your stories with us.
Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences with us this year. Your voice matters - and it’s helping to shape a better health and care system for all.
