Former government minister backs The King’s Fund study on importance of independent patient voice in health and social care
Local Healthwatch has welcomed the King’s Fund report which has also received backing from former Labour Minister Lord Hunt of Kings Heath who was also the first Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation.
“Governments of all colours have recognised the importance of independence in patient voice for over fifty years. Providers of health and social care need to know what patients and service users feel about the care they receive, including things that are sometimes uncomfortable to hear. However genuine Ministers are in encouraging health and social care bodies to monitor patients’ experience themselves, it is vital that service users can always be confident there is also an independent body that can speak up on their behalf, without fear or favour.
Along with colleagues in both Houses of Parliament I will be working to ensure that this principle is not lost when the forthcoming Health Reform Bill is debated."
