News

The plan to ‘cluster’ Northamptonshire ICB and Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) ICB has now been formally approved by NHS England and government ministers.

Both ICBs will continue to exist as separate statutory bodies, but in time they will move to work as one, with a single set of staffing structure and board governance. This is part of a national move to bring together Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) into 26 clusters, down from the current 42.

While there are still important details to be worked through – such as arrangements for continuing healthcare, safeguarding, and services for people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) – they are moving forward with purpose to ensure a smooth transition that prioritises the needs of local people.

Their structure and implementation plan (currently being developed) show a significantly reduced running cost budget – a 33% reduction for LLR and a 29% reduction for Northamptonshire. This comes after NHS England announced that ICBs nationally were to reduce their running costs.

Sign our national petition calling on the government to protect the independence of local voices in health and care.

The NHS 10 Year Health plan proposes to abolish Healthwatch England and 152 local Healthwatch, and transfer functions ‘in-house’ to local authorities and NHS Integrated Care Boards once legislation has passed. 

Proposals to bring public voice functions under the control of local authorities or NHS bodies threatens to compromise the impartiality, trust, and effectiveness of these initiatives. Having an opportunity to go to an independent service for advice, help, support or to raise concerns is paramount. Independence is not optional – it is essential for transparency, accountability, and meaningful change.

Instead of dismantling independence, we should be strengthening it. Local Healthwatch have put together a petition calling on the government to protect the independence of local voices in health and care and we ask for your support in signing it: Keep independent services that give the public a voice in NHS and Social Care.

Why is it important? 

USPs of independent public voice initiatives:

• Being an independent critical friend – working constructively with local stakeholders, but always with the freedom to raise concerns without fear or favour. Services can’t be held to account by the same bodies that fund or manage them. Independence is essential for honest feedback and meaningful scrutiny.

• Amplifying the collective voices of people at risk of health inequalities – speaking to people experiencing health inequalities and asking about the barriers to accessing services. The new plan relies heavily on individuals feeding back to the services they use. Listening to communities is essential to the successful delivery of services.

• Driven by communities – based on what people with lived experience say, with no other taskmaster or agenda. Designed to be owned and governed by communities with their best interest at heart.

• A bridge across sectors – people do not fit neatly into one box, they often experience and need services across multiple providers. Connecting VCSE organisations, local authorities, health services, and communities to build more integrated and inclusive services.

• Independent, trusted and impartial – people want an independent service because they often lack trust and fear repercussions sharing their feedback direct with those providing their care. They find provider feedback routes difficult to navigate or have shared in the past and feel that they have not been heard.

We believe the Government needs to:

• Invest in and strengthen independent public voice.
• Engage with local Healthwatch leaders to co-design a future that puts people first.
• Recognise the role independent voice can play in supporting the three shifts outlined in the 10 year health plan– by providing constructive challenge and supporting coproduction, particularly with those communities facing the greatest health and care needs.

131 local Healthwatch services across England have signed a powerful open letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, urging the government to reconsider proposals that would bring public voice functions under the control of local authorities and NHS bodies.

The letter, which to date has been signed by 131 Healthwatch Chief Officers/Chairs – representing 86% of the national network – warns that the proposed changes would seriously compromise the independence that makes public feedback effective and trusted.

“Bringing public voice functions in-house risks creating a system where feedback is filtered, inconvenient truths are softened, and accountability is diluted” 

Healthwatch services have long served as independent champions for patients, carers, and communities, particularly those who are vulnerable or face barriers to accessing care. Their statutory independence allows them to challenge poor practice, conduct impartial research, and ensure that people’s voices are heard without fear or favour.

The letter draws on lessons from the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust scandal, where failures in local scrutiny contributed to serious harm. It argues that dismantling independent advocacy would repeat past mistakes and weaken public accountability.

Events were held each day in Rutland during Dementia Action Week (19-23 May 2025) to raise awareness of dementia and the local support services available.

Healthwatch Rutland supported the Spring Into Action For Dementia event held at the Rutland Council Chamber in Oakham to raise awareness of what’s available locally to support people with dementia and their carers.

The Chamber was packed with representatives from local support services and really well attended by around 90 members of the public throughout the day.

We listened to people’s feedback about their experiences with health and social care services and were able to signpost to a variety of services for support.

Playing throughout the day was a wonderful short film featuring a local gentleman and his relative talking about his life, how music and art continue to inspire him, and living with dementia:

Organisations that also attended the event included:

• Rutland County Council Admiral Nurses
• Leicestershire Partnership Trust Memory Service
• The Rutland RISE Team
• Leicestershire Musical Memory Box
• Age UK
• Vista
• Citizens Advice Rutland
• Voluntary Action Rutland
• Various home care and day care services

For information on how you can get in touch with any of these services, contact us:

07399 584572

info@healthwatchrutland.co.uk 

Hang out with Healthwatch West Northamptonshire and get to know us better – we’re here to listen to your experiences with healthcare.

Join us for our upcoming Get to Know Us! Healthwatch West Northamptonshire event!

We will be hosting our event at the Grosvenor Shopping Centre in Northampton Town Centre on the 2nd floor within the Community Space, for a fun and informative day.

We will have free tea, coffee and nibbles!

Learn about our mission to improve local health and social care services. Meet our team, ask questions, and discover how you can get involved. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, service user, or simply curious, this event is for you. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with us and learn more about Healthwatch West Northamptonshire.

See you there!

If you have any questions, please contact gabriella@healthwatchwestnorthants.com

Healthwatch West Northamptonshire is looking for someone to join our team as the Engagement and Administration Officer.

Main responsibilities of the post:

• With other team members, work with other agencies to promote the focus on equality and inclusion in Healthwatch.
• Supporting the needs of the HWW Manager regarding administration support, which includes organising and facilitating meetings and events on behalf of Healthwatch, ranging from focus groups to conferences.
• Gather evidence of the impact of Healthwatch and provide monitoring information and reports as required.
• To take an active lead and support on all the Healthwatch incoming enquiries and feedback – this includes: logging, responding and signposting, uploading to IMP database, and generating reports quarterly.
• To take an active lead and support on all engagement activities within the community of West Northants, which includes being present in the community and speaking with individuals regarding their experiences.
• Take an active interest in ensuring Healthwatch operates effectively, according to best practices and fulfils its obligations.
• Work within a team to maintain and achieve high standards and understand the importance of time management and meeting deadlines.
• Disseminate information and learning as appropriate to other networks if required, and in conjunction with the communications policy.
• Help to ensure that Healthwatch embraces diversity, challenges discrimination, and reflects the communities of West Northamptonshire.

Salary: £23,000 per annum pro rata

Hours: 18 – 24 hours

Please view the job description below for more information.

If you are interested in the position, please complete the above application form and send it back to us via enquiries@healthwatchwestnorthants.com

If you would like any more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch at the above email address.