Healthwatch

The Independent Champion for People Using Health and Social Care Services in England

Who It’s For: Anyone in England — including children, young people, families and carers — who uses NHS or social care services and wants to share their experiences, get help finding services, understand their rights, or raise concerns about the quality of care they have received. There is a local Healthwatch in every area of England, as well as Healthwatch England at national level.

What They Offer: Healthwatch is the independent statutory body championing the voices of people who use health and social care services. Entirely independent of the NHS and local authorities, Healthwatch listens to the experiences of patients and families, uses that feedback to hold services to account, and helps ensure decision-makers improve care. Locally, Healthwatch teams provide free information and signposting to help families navigate health and social care, guidance on how to make a complaint, and referrals to independent NHS complaints advocacy. They also carry out research and investigations into local services — including CAMHS, children’s services and GP access — on behalf of the communities they serve.

Support Includes:

• Free information and signposting — helping families find the right NHS or social care service
• Guidance on how to make an NHS or social care complaint and what to expect from the process
• Referrals to independent NHS complaints advocates — who can support families through a formal complaint
• Listening to and recording experiences of NHS and social care — ensuring family voices shape service improvement
• Local research and reports — investigating how health and care services are working for families in your area
• Anonymous feedback — families can share experiences confidentially without their name being known
• Influencing local and national NHS decision-making using feedback from patients and families
• BSL video interpreter available via Sign Live for Deaf users

Referral / Access: No referral needed. Contact Healthwatch England for general national queries or find your local Healthwatch using the website. Local Healthwatch teams are the best first point of contact for help with local services, complaints guidance and signposting. Healthwatch England national line open Monday–Friday 8:30am–5:30pm. All services are free.

Please Note: In July 2025 the Government announced plans to close Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations, with their functions transferred to the NHS and local councils. New legislation is required before this happens. As of May 2026, all local Healthwatch services remain fully operational and continue to deliver their usual services. Check with your local Healthwatch for the latest on their operating status.