Healthwatch Leeds is encouraging people across the city to contact their local MP as Parliament considers proposals that could end independent Healthwatch organisations across England.
The Government’s Health Bill includes plans to transfer responsibility for gathering patient and public feedback into NHS and local authority structures. Healthwatch organisations have raised concerns that this could remove an independent voice for patients, service users and communities.
The Bill received its Second Reading in Parliament on 1 June, where MPs from across the country spoke about the value of local Healthwatch organisations and challenged aspects of the proposals.
The legislation will now move to Committee Stage, where MPs will have further opportunities to scrutinise the Bill, ask questions and propose changes.
Healthwatch Leeds is asking residents, community groups and organisations across the city to write to their local MP and explain why an independent health and care voice matters.
Healthwatch Leeds says its independence allows it to gather honest feedback from local people and raise concerns directly with decision-makers. Recent examples of its work include influencing improvements to mental health crisis support, learning disability services, access to NHS dentistry, digital inclusion and the development of neighbourhood health services in Leeds. A recent briefing paper highlights several examples where community feedback gathered by Healthwatch Leeds led directly to changes in local health and care services.
Whether you have used Healthwatch services, shared feedback about local healthcare, taken part in engagement activities or simply believe that patients should have an independent organisation representing their views, Healthwatch Leeds wants people to make their voices heard.
To support this, Healthwatch Leeds has produced a step-by-step guide and template letter that can be adapted and sent directly to MPs.
The organisation says that hearing directly from constituents can have a significant impact as MPs consider the future of patient and public voice arrangements within the health and care system.
Anyone who would prefer support can contact the Healthwatch Leeds team directly. Paper copies of the template letter are available and Healthwatch Leeds will cover the cost of postage where needed.
Healthwatch Leeds continues to operate as normal and no changes are expected before April 2027 at the earliest.
Find out more and access the template letter:
http://healthwatchleeds.co.uk/healthwatch-leeds-news/2026/letter-to-mp/
Further Parliamentary Reading
Direct Parliamentary Written Evidence (PDFs)
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Healthwatch Leeds Evidence: NHS Waiting Times Inquiry * What it is: A deep-dive submission detailing focus groups and 52-week-plus treatment delays for local Leeds patients, highlighting issues like digital exclusion.
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Healthwatch Leeds Evidence: The Dental Crisis * What it is: A submission titled “I just want to be able to smile again”, outlining the drastic drop in NHS dental availability across Leeds post-pandemic.
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Healthwatch Leeds Evidence: Neighbourhood Health Service Estates * What it is: A report evaluating how Leeds residents feel about moving healthcare out of traditional clinics and into local community hubs/libraries.
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Healthwatch England Submission: Palliative & End-of-Life Care * What it is: The national body’s evidence to the Health and Social Care Committee, which heavily highlights a specific 2024 health inequality study conducted by the Leeds branch.
Parliamentary Debate Transcripts (Hansard)
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Richard Burgon MP Contribution * What it is: Hansard records showing Leeds MPs explicitly referencing Healthwatch Leeds patient testimonies on the floor of the House of Commons.
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House of Commons Debate: Mental Health Services in Leeds * What it is: A major recorded debate regarding the 48-to-52 week waiting lists for local psychiatric and mental health care frameworks.
Central Gov Registry & Statutory Data
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Healthwatch Leeds: Companies House Profile * What it is: The official GOV.UK registry entry for Healthwatch Leeds as a registered Community Interest Company (CIC), including its statutory filing history, accounts, and legal framework.
Healthwatch Leeds Reports
Why Healthwatch Leeds Matters (March 2026)
This is probably the strongest and most relevant link because Gemma wrote it specifically to demonstrate impact.
https://healthwatchleeds.co.uk/reports-recommendations/2026/impact-of-healthwatch-leeds/
It highlights four examples where independent community feedback led directly to improvements in:
- Mental health crisis services
- Learning disability services
- National accessibility policy
- Leeds’ Neighbourhood Health development work
Healthwatch Leeds Annual Report 2023-24
https://forumcentral.org.uk/healthwatch-leeds-annual-report/
Useful because it demonstrates breadth of work, including:
- Oral health
- Mental health
- Home care
- Community engagement in research
- Digital access to services
NHS Dentistry Campaign Work
Healthwatch’s dentistry work is one of its strongest long-running examples of influencing services.
The report notes that Healthwatch successfully worked with MPs and national leaders to increase NHS dental activity in parts of the region.
Digital Inclusion and Access to Services
A good Leeds example because it brought together NHS, council and VCSE partners to influence how digital health services were developed.
