For the past 13 years, Healthwatch Leeds has been listening to local people and making sure their voices are heard in health and care service planning. They are an independent organisation, not part of the NHS or local authority and one of their main roles is to actively seek out people's feedback about all types of health and care services. They do this in various ways including talking to people in communities and visiting health and care settings such as hospital clinics, wards and care homes. They use what they hear to influence real change to services through asking for direct responses from providers of health and care services as well as through the various strategic boards and committees that they have a seat on. They also run an information and advice service for the public, to help people understand their options, rights and where to get support when trying to access health and care services. You can find out more about Healthwatch Leeds work at healthwatchleeds.co.uk.
As part of the recent Dash review, the government has proposed changes that could mean the end of Healthwatch organisations across the country from 2027. If this does happen, there would no longer be an independent organisation championing local people's voices in health and care in Leeds.
Whatever happens, there is a strong commitment from senior health and care leaders to continue having an independent voice organisation in Leeds. This survey is an opportunity for you to have a say in shaping what this might look like.
If you would like to give your feedback in a different way, please either:
Email Sue Hoey, an independent consultant who is coordinating this work : hoeysue@gmail.com
Alternatively, you can contact Healthwatch Leeds by phone or text and they can arrange with Sue to call or text you back.
Phone: 0113 898 0035
Textphone: 07717 309843
Any information you share in this survey may be used anonymously as part of an independent review of Healthwatch Leeds that will take place in spring 2026 with senior health and care leaders. It may also be used in a summary report that will be published on the Healthwatch Leeds website: healthwatchleeds.co.uk.
The survey shouldn't take more than 10 minutes to complete and will be open until 28th February 2026.
Thank you for taking part.