A new way for people to have a real say in how local health and social care services are planned, commissioned and delivered has been set-up.
Called a Local Involvement Network or LINk, it will be made up of local people, organisations, businesses and community groups who are interested in making health and social care services better. There will be a LINk in every borough in London, and in areas across the country, following the introduction of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act.
Cllr Pamela Fisher, Hounslow Council’s lead member for adult health and social services, said: “We are always keen to involve local residents in decision-making around all aspects of council work, and the LINk introduces a very exciting way for people to have an impact in improving health and social care services. I would urge local people who have an interest in this area to come forward, and take part.
“Hounslow’s LINk will be able to look at every aspect of health and social care and really put services under the microscope, whether they are provided by the Council, the NHS, or privately. Its voice will be a loud one, with meaningful powers to precipitate positive change.”
Hounslow already has a number of proven ways of consulting with its social care clients, including an Older People’s Panel, which scrutinises services for senior residents and user involvement groups for carers, and other service users. The LINk will complement these existing methods, not replace them.
Anyone can be part of Hounslow’s LINk, which will be representative of communities living in the borough. Members of carers’ networks, patient groups, youth clubs, faith groups, business groups, tenants groups and minority ethnic groups, are all invited to take part, as well as individuals who are passionate about improving health and social care.
Early work priorities are to:
make it as easy as possible for local residents and groups to get involved in the LINk activities;
set up Hounslow LINk pages on the Community Voices Online website;
map local health and social care services provided across the borough;
contribute as a LINk to the Healthcare Commission Investigation at West London Mental Health Trust;
organise a public and stakeholder consultation meeting in June on the Hounslow PCT draft Primary Care Strategy.
When set up, the LINk will have a range of powers so that they can;
make reports and recommendations to health providers; ·
ask for information from health providers and demand a response within a timescale;
visit some types of service to get an idea of how they are being run, and
feedback their response to Councillors on Scrutiny panels about their findings.
We have awarded a contract to the Health Advocacy Partnership (HAP) to provide host organisation support to set up and support the LINk across the borough.
Nick Westbrook, HAP chief executive said: “HAP is delighted to be working with Hounslow Council to help communities, groups and people across the borough to deliver a ‘strong public voice’ about their local health and social care services. Getting involved in your local LINk will give you the chance to say what you think and to suggest ideas to help improve health and social care services in Hounslow.”
It’s a great time to have your say about how health and social care services are provided locally. Anyone - residents and local groups – can register their interest in getting involved, making their voice heard and helping to make a difference simply by:
visiting Community Voices online click the link on the right or telephone a local tariff phone number 0845 094 9497
or write to the LINk c/o PO Box 3409, Melksham SN12 7WS.