Residents in Milton Keynes are being encouraged to contact their local members of Parliament ahead of a crucial debate on 1 June 2026, which could determine the future of Healthwatch Milton Keynes. The organisation, which acts as an independent voice for patients regarding local health and care services, is facing potential abolition under the proposed NHS Modernisation Bill.
The Bill was introduced to Parliament on 14 May 2026, following its initial announcement in the King’s Speech on 13 May. If passed, the legislation would end the statutory arrangements for local Healthwatch organisations, with responsibilities potentially transferred to Integrated Care Boards and local authorities. The second reading of the Bill, scheduled for 1 June, serves as the primary opportunity for MPs to debate the overarching purpose and principles of the proposed changes.
Government documentation, including an Equality Impact Assessment, acknowledges that the abolition would remove an independent mechanism for representing patient views and could create risks for vulnerable groups. Maxine Taffetani, CEO of Healthwatch Milton Keynes, has previously criticised the proposals to replace independent patient conversations with a star rating system on the NHS app. In July 2025, she stated, “Replacing patient conversations with star ratings will not keep patients safe. It will not improve care. It is reductive and harmful.”
To assist residents who wish to share their concerns, the organisation has provided template letters on its website, offering both short and long versions for download. Local residents are represented by three MPs who may be contacted regarding the Bill: Emily Darlington for MK Central at [email protected], Callum Anderson for Buckingham and Bletchley at [email protected], and Chris Curtis for Milton Keynes North at [email protected].
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