Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Healthwatch England about making public comments regarding the Government's decision to transfer its current role to the proposed new patient experience directorate in the Department of Health and Social Care.

The Government has accepted the recommendations of Dr Penny Dash’s Review of patient safety across the health and care landscape and confirmed in its 10-Year Health Plan for England that the strategic functions of Healthwatch England will transfer to a new patient experience directorate within the Department. This change is intended to strengthen the role of patient voice by embedding it at the centre of a reformed Department.

The Department continues to engage with Healthwatch England as this work progresses. Discussions with Healthwatch England have not included the making of public comments about the transfer of Healthwatch England functions to the proposed patient experience directorate.