Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has had with Surrey County Council on future arrangements for gathering local patient views on (a) health and (b) social care services in Surrey Heath constituency.

Local patient views will continue to be gathered through a variety of means, including local Healthwatch organisations, patient participation groups, and through national and local surveys.

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future, we are proposing to abolish local Healthwatch arrangements to place responsibility for obtaining feedback from local communities with integrated care boards for health, and local authorities for social care.

Implementing the abolition of local Healthwatch arrangements will require amendments to primary legislation. The timing of this is subject to the will of Parliament and will happen when parliamentary time allows.

As part of her review of patient safety, Dr Dash heard from more than 100 individuals or organisations with an interest in patient safety. The Department has also conducted several engagement events with local Healthwatch organisations and their representatives. This engagement is vital to communicate plans and to answer questions. This engagement will continue as the policy is further developed.