Lincolnshire Healthwatch will continue to operate after the government announced it has ditched plans to abolish the organisation nationally.
The original idea was to move patient-voice functions to a new department within the Department of Health and Social Care and delegate health feedback to the Integrated Care Boards.
But local councils, the Local Government Association and all 131 Healthwatch bodies criticised the move and warned the removal of an independent organisation would not help patients.
“HWLincs are delighted to announce that the government has withdrawn their proposed abolishment plans for Healthwatch Lincolnshire service in the years to come.
“Thank you to everyone who supported us and campaigned on behalf of Healthwatch over the last 18 months.
“Throughout this period of uncertainty for Healthwatch Lincolnshire, our dedicated and hard-working team has continued to provide help to people across our region when they’ve needed it most. Now, that uncertainty is gone, instead there is a great opportunity for change and improvement across health and care,” said a spokesman for the organisation.
The government is now looking to strengthen the influence Healthwatch has in the future.
The organisation is designed to be an independent champion for people who use health and social care services in each county.
It advocates for patients and offers information and advice while working to help services improve.
The Lincolnshire team will be holding an open event in Spalding at Springfields Events Centre on Thursday, November 26 from 9.30am to 12.30pm. The event is open to everyone and registration is free via the website hwlincs.co.uk/yourvoice2026/
