Following the DASH review publication, the Government has announced their intention to change the law to bring national and local Healthwatch functions into new arrangements via the 10 year health plan, with responsibilities moved ‘in-house’ to local authorities, integrated care boards, and the Department of Health and Social Care.
Healthwatch in Greater Manchester meets these proposals with serious concern about what they mean for the future of an independent public voice in health and social care, something that has been central to Healthwatch’s mission since its creation. We firmly believe that independence is vital to maintain transparency, accountability, and external scrutiny of health and care services. Removing this independence and scrutiny is a very dangerous path, risking the creation of an accountability vacuum, silencing the very voices that should shape and improve services, and ultimately increase health inequalities.
Evidence shows that without independent and trusted channels, many people feel unable to share their experiences freely, especially if they fear consequences or believe their feedback will not lead to meaningful change.[1][2][3]
“An independent public voice is essential to creating a health and care system that people can trust. Without genuine external scrutiny, there is a real risk that services are left to hold themselves to account, rather than being shaped and improved by the people they serve. We are proud of the impact we’ve made in and across Greater Manchester and remain committed to working with partners to protect and strengthen this vital independence for the future.”
– Heather Etheridge, Independent Chair, Healthwatch in Greater Manchester
Across Greater Manchester, our work is shaped by the experiences and stories shared by local people. Collectively supported by 55 staff and 174 volunteers from Greater Manchester communities, we have produced 213 reports over the last two years that have led to improvements in areas such as mental health, access to GP’s and dentistry, and support for under-served and seldom-heard communities.
You can read more about our impact and achievements across Greater Manchester in our annual reports.
Why does independence matter?
Our role is not simply to gather feedback but to ensure that feedback leads to real impact. We are proud to have worked alongside partners, staff, and volunteers to achieve change and tackle inequalities across Greater Manchester.
Local Healthwatch organisations in Greater Manchester operate independently and have come together collaboratively to form the Healthwatch in Greater Manchester network. This enables us to work collectively on shared priorities across the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and a regional footprint to reflect local voices. Whilst we work collaboratively with, but independently of Healthwatch England, they operate at a national level with a distinct separate remit.
- People need to know they can speak up about their care safely, honestly, and without fear. Independence creates that trust.
- We hear from and seek out voices that would otherwise remain unheard — people who face the biggest barriers to good health and care.
- Independent insight ensures local services are designed and improved based on what communities really need, not just system pressures or influence.
- Independence allows us to challenge the system constructively, speak truth to power and advocate for change where it’s needed.
- Independence matters to the 98,412 people across Greater Manchester who chose to contact Healthwatch to share their experiences or ask for advice and information rather than services directly over the past two years alone, trusting us to listen to them and represent their voice without fear or favour.
What happens now?
- We will continue to operate as usual, remaining fully committed to listening to and amplifying individuals and communities’ experiences, providing advice and information to help them find the support they need.
- We will continue to share what we hear with those in power to encourage improvements and remain dedicated to ensuring that people’s experiences shape better, fairer, and more responsive health and care services by design.
- Upon legislation change, we will ensure that lived experiences and patient voices are integrated and that any transition of Healthwatch functions are coordinated.
- We will work constructively with local authorities, Greater Manchester Integrated Care, and other partners to explore future ways to retain and protect the independent public voice, ensuring that lived experiences and patient voices are fully integrated into service design.
We are grateful to everyone for their continued support and trust including our staff, volunteers, and every person who has shared their story with us.
Together, we can continue to champion better health and social care for all across Greater Manchester
If you would like to share experiences, get information or support, or learn more about the work of Healthwatch in communities across Greater Manchester, you can find you local Healthwatch here.
If you have any questions for Healthwatch in Greater Manchester, please get in touch with us directly here.
[1] Healthwatch England, 2025 https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/report/2025-01-27/pain-complain-why-its-time-fix-nhs-complaints-process
[2] CQC, 2025 https://www.cqc.org.uk/publications/listening-learning-responding-concerns/5-reviewing-expectations-and-experiences-people-who-raise?
[3] National Guardians Office, 2023 https://nationalguardian.org.uk/2023/07/13/freedom-to-speak-up-guardian-survey-2023