Liberal Democrats warn NHS reforms could ignite a ‘bonfire’ of patient safety

The Liberal Democrats are pressing Health Secretary Andy Burnham to reverse elements of the NHS Modernisation Bill that would scrap Healthwatch England and the Health Service Safety Investigation Bureau. The bill would transfer Healthwatch’s duties to integrated care boards and local authorities, and place patient-safety investigations under the Care Quality Commission, raising concerns about loss of independent scrutiny and anonymity for whistle-blowers.

Helen Morgan, the party’s health spokesperson, called the proposals the “greatest backward step in patient safety in a generation,” warning they could repeat the failures that led to the Stafford Hospital scandal, which saw at least 400 excess deaths. The party intends to introduce amendments and contest the legislation in the House of Lords, where Labour lacks a majority. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson defended the reforms, saying they preserve safe-space provisions and will give patients a stronger voice. The bill is currently at the report stage and scheduled for a third reading on 7 September.