Healthwatch Leicester and Leicestershire (HWLL) and Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL), the host organisation for HWLL, welcome the Government’s announcement that local Healthwatch and Healthwatch England will be retained and strengthened. Both organisations welcome this recognition of the importance of an independent voice for people who use health and care services. Listening to people’s experiences helps ensure local voices inform decisions about health and care services. As further details emerge, VAL and HWLL look forward to understanding how the decision will strengthen this work.
Harsha Kotecha, Healthwatch Leicester and Leicestershire Chair:
“This is welcome news for everyone who believes local people should have a meaningful say in the health and care services they use. An independent patient voice matters as people need opportunities to share their experiences and have confidence that those experiences will be heard by decisionmakers. We look forward to understanding the details of this decision and working together for an even stronger patient voice. Our focus remains on listening to local communities and championing the improvements that matter to them.”
Linda Jones, Voluntary Action LeicesterShire, Chair:
“As the host organisation for Healthwatch Leicester and Leicestershire, VAL welcomes this decision and the recognition it gives to the importance of local people’s voices. It reflects the valuable work carried out locally and the support received from health partners and local authorities. We welcome the opportunity to build on that work while safeguarding Healthwatch’s independent voice. Above all, this is about ensuring people across Leicester and Leicestershire continue to have a way to share their experiences and help shape better health and care services.”
HWLL thank everyone who has shared their experiences with us.
Your voice matters and we’ll continue to listen, speak up and champion local people.
Find out more - Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations to be retained | Healthwatch Leicester and Leicestershire
