Key facts
- Healthwatch England will be retained and strengthened.
- The body collects patient feedback on NHS services.
- Lawmakers from Labour, Conservative, and Liberal Democrat parties criticized the planned abolition.
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper has reversed plans to abolish Healthwatch England, the independent body responsible for collecting patient feedback on NHS services. The decision follows an outcry from MPs across the political spectrum who raised concerns that scrapping the organization would remove important oversight of the health service. Cooper stated that patients need a voice and that Healthwatch will be strengthened to ensure patient experiences influence changes in health and care services. This marks the latest in a series of policy reversals by ministers since Andy Burnham became prime minister in July.