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Yvette Cooper drops plans to abolish NHS patient champion after outcry
UK NewsPoliticsHealth•October 28, 2026 at 9:00 AMNational

Yvette Cooper drops plans to abolish NHS patient champion after outcry

By Denis Campbell Health policy editor•The Guardian - UK News

Exclusive: Health secretary to extend role of watchdog, which backers say helps hold service in England to accountYvette Cooper has abandoned plans to abolish the NHS’s independent patient champion after an outcry from MPs across the political spectrum.The health secretary has decided to keep and extend the role of Healthwatch England, which was due to be axed as part of the government’s reorganisation of the health service in England.axe the Health Services Safety Investigations Body.end councils’ automatic representation on the boards of ICBs.remove the requirement for a nurse on every NHS foundation trust board. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Health secretary to extend role of watchdog, which backers say helps hold service in England to account

Yvette Cooper has abandoned plans to abolish the NHS’s independent patient champion after an outcry from MPs across the political spectrum.

The health secretary has decided to keep and extend the role of Healthwatch England, which was due to be axed as part of the government’s reorganisation of the health service in England.

axe the Health Services Safety Investigations Body.

end councils’ automatic representation on the boards of ICBs.

remove the requirement for a nurse on every NHS foundation trust board.

Continue reading...

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