Decision

To directly award to The Advocacy people (Healthwatch Wokingham), the delivery of VCS Lot 9 Healthwatch Service to Wokingham Borough for a year (1st April 2027 – 31st March 2028).

Reasons for the decision

The government has announced (June 2025) its intention to abolish Healthwatch England and all local Healthwatch groups as part of its 10-Year Health Plan. These structural changes require an Act of Parliament. Until new legislation is passed and formalised, all existing local and national Healthwatch arrangements should remain in place. Due to uncertainty around the future funding of local Healthwatch provision, a direct award to the current service provider will provide an element of continuity of service until further clarity has been provided.

Alternative options considered

We cannot extend the current contract as it will have reached its maximum extension term by 31st March 2027. It is not practical to include the contract as part of a wider procurement process when the future of the service is unknown.