Healthwatch Salford responds to Government announcement of Healthwatch closure
The manner in which this message was delivered was inappropriate and unfair – via a leak to the national press.
Separating health and social care goes against the principles of an integrated system and is a worrying backwards step.
We are deeply concerned about the negative impact this decision may have on the voice of patients and public across Salford. Any decision that seeks to diminish the ability of patients to be heard, to influence decisions, or to shape the services they rely on, risks undermining the very principles of a person-centred approach.
Healthwatch Salford’s role as an independent agent of change offers us the unique ability to work with everyone to ensure the voice of the people are Salford are heard at every opportunity.
We are also politically neutral.
During April 2024 to March 2025:
- 3289 people used our service for clear information and advice in Salford.
- 2198 people shared their experiences with us of health and care via feedback and projects.
- We completed reports/areas of focus on Children's/Young People’s Mental Health, Men’s Mental Health/Wellbeing, Cervical Screening, Children/Young People and Vaping, Communication, as well as contributing to Healthwatch in Greater Manchester reports.
- Our volunteers gave up 203 hours to support us.
We have no timeline for this to be implemented, as the work Healthwatch Salford undertakes is statutory, legislation will need to be changed by central government.
As a critical friend to the health and care system in Salford, we feel it is important to raise our concerns about the potential impact this decision may have on the voice of patients across our city. However, until this decision is implemented, we will continue to work as hard as ever to ensure the voice of the people of Salford is heard and continues to be heard going forward.
