The government has announced plans to scrap over 200 organisations involved in managing and monitoring the NHS in England, as part of efforts to simplify the health system. Among those set to close are Healthwatch England, which champions patient rights, and the National Guardian’s Office, which supports whistleblowing within health services. Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the current structure as overly complicated, saying it’s time for “more action, less oversight”.
This overhaul forms part of Labour’s upcoming 10-year vision for healthcare. The move will see bodies created under previous governments, including local health planning groups, dissolved. The government argues that the sheer number of agencies has resulted in conflicting guidance that burdens staff and slows down progress. Ministers say greater focus will be placed on patient feedback through the NHS app in future.
The changes have prompted mixed reactions. While some, including NHS Confederation chief Matthew Taylor, welcomed the chance to cut duplication and invest more in frontline care, there are concerns that vital protections could be lost. Healthwatch England’s chief executive expressed sadness but pledged to ensure patients’ voices remain heard during the transition.
A pilot scheme is also planned linking hospital funding to patient ratings, with poor feedback potentially diverting funds into improvement initiatives. Leaders warn such measures must be carefully designed to avoid unfairly penalising hospitals for issues beyond their control.
