Abolishing the role of statutory governors on all NHS trusts in England is ill-advised, according to a former health professional who volunteers as a governor at two hospital trusts in Yorkshire.
Jean Flanagan, writing to the Guardian, said the latest health plan for England, due to be ratified by parliament this autumn, removes the role of statutory governors on all constituent health trusts. She has volunteered as a governor at two hospital trusts in Yorkshire for several years, bringing experience as a former health professional and principal nursing educator, for which she has been elected locally.
Local scrutiny as a check on central powers
Flanagan argued that local scrutiny by informed practitioners is an essential check on the powers of a centralising Department of Health and health minister. She suggested the replacement of governors by “more dynamic stakeholders” is shorthand for health industry shareholders, and called the proposal “bureaucratic butchery” from a Labour government.
She expressed hope that a concerned public can prevent this centralisation of hospital oversight.
Healthwatch abolition raises concerns
In a separate letter, Jonathan Phillips, co-chair of Healthwatch Leeds, referenced a Guardian article (21 August) about concerns raised by Healthwatch Rotherham that an AI telephone receptionist used by GP practices could not understand broad Yorkshire accents. He said the article was amusing but with serious undertones, noting that access to GP services is an issue Healthwatch has highlighted across the country.
Phillips said the government is abolishing Healthwatch, meaning local people will no longer have a trusted independent organisation to refer problems such as these failings in an AI receptionist. He noted the health bill is still being debated and hoped the government sees sense so that the experience of people using health and care is still heard.
