LINks - Have your say

LINks - Have your say

What are LINks?

LINks are an opportunity for you to influence your local health and care services. Anyone can get involved- the LINk is here to help us get the services we need. LINks are made up of individuals and community groups who work together. The job of a LINk is to find out what people like and dislike about local services and work with the people who plan and run them to help make them better. This may involve talking directly to health care professionals about a service that is not being offered or suggesting ways that an existing service could be made better. LINks also have legal powers to help with the tasks and to make sure changes happen.

See the latest LINks newsletter for information about the organisation and an event they are holding in Westminster on 16th Ocotber 2010

How will a LINk improve services?

The network will act as the ears of the local community to learn of their needs and experiences and using the legal powers voice the communities’ concerns to achieve change.

Which services will the LINk work with?

• NHS Westminster (GPs, dentists, pharmacists, opticians, community based service)
• Central London Community Healthcare (community health services such as                 podiatry,continence and diabetes)
• Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
• Central North West London Foundation Trust (mental health services)
• London Ambulance Service
• Adult Social Care services, Westminster City Council

Who can join the LINk?

Anyone and everyone. LINks will be made up of volunteers from the local community who are passionate about improving health and social care. Anyone can join the LINk, no experience working in health or social care necessary.

What legal powers do LINks have?

LINks have legal powers to assist them with their work. These powers include; entering and viewing certain premises where services and care are provided, requesting information from service providers, and making recommendations and receiving a response within a specific timescale.

What does Westminster LINk look like?

There is a steering group which acts on the information of service users and decides on what action needs to be taken. They have set up work groups to investigate the issues further. Information learned will be communicated to the service providers accompanied with recommendations for change. There are varying degrees of involvement from sitting on the steering group, to being part of a work group, entering and viewing premises where services are provided or just receiving and passing on information.

Why should I, my community group or organisation join the LINk?

• A new opportunity to ensure your issues and views are heard
• An involvement mechanism with statutory powers
• A chance to influence those who make decisions about new or existing services
• It will unite the community to create a louder and stronger voice

What’s going on in Westminster?

• Voluntary Action Westminster contracted to host the LINk until 2011
• Over 400 individuals and community groups joined as members
• Contacts and working agreements with the service providers established
• 18 representatives for the Steering Group were elected in early February
• Working groups have been set up to look into: Older People; Social Care; Mental Health; Health Inequalities; Access to GPs and Patient Discharge. Work is also being done on infection control and catering services at Imperial.

More info

If you have questions about the Westminster LINk or if you would like to find out more information, please contact Jill Mulelly jmulelly@vawcvs.org 0207 535 0487 or visit www.westminsterlink.org.uk.

Further information The Department of Health - Local Involvement Networks Explained