NAVCA responds to Health Listening Exercise
NAVCA has submitted a response to the NHS listening exercise. The listening exercise was launched by the government after the growing public concern about the plans to transform the NHS contained in the Heath and Social Care Bill. Although much of the debate has focused on competition, NAVCA’s response also emphasises the need to ensure that local communities and patients are involved and adequately represented on any new health structures.
In the submission, NAVCA argues that increased competition will not necessarily improve NHS services or put patients first. What is needed is culture change, shared decision making and improved access to information and choice around treatment options. NAVCA believes that the debate on competition is needed, but this debate must not drown out equally important issues around community engagement and health inequalities.
NAVCA argues that:
- Local HealthWatch will only be able to provide a strong, independent and inclusive voice for patients and local communities if its governance arrangements make it accountable principally to local communities, not to local authorities or HealthWatch England.
- GP commissioning consortia and Health and Wellbeing Boards must be required to engage with and involve local voluntary organisations, community groups, patients and the public, as well as local HealthWatch, in decisions about local health services.
Katy Wing, NAVCA’s Improving Local Services Director said:
“A lot of the debate has focused on the proposals to increase competition. The professional health associations and even the Deputy Prime Minister have voiced concerns. However, we have heard less about ensuring any new health structures are properly accountable to local communities.
“The government has said that ‘no decision about me, without me’ is a key principle underpinning its plans for reform. This is not just about individuals being given a say on their own treatment. It also means involving communities in decisions about local services. Local voluntary organisations and community groups must not just be seen as ‘providers’: they have a vital role to play as strong advocates for local communities. They need to be involved in decision-making processes, so that the diverse voices of patients and local communities are heard. The bill needs to be changed to put this right.”
