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 is made up of local people, organisations, businesses and community groups who are interested in making health and social care services better. There is 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.
The LinK involves local residents in decision-making around all aspects of council work, and introduces a process for people to have an impact in improving health and social care services. Hounslow’s LINk looks at every aspect of health and social care, placing services under the microscope, whether they are provided by the Council, the NHS, or privately.
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 complements these existing methods; it does not replace them.
Anyone can be part of Hounslow’s LINk, which aims to 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.
For more information, please visit the LINk’s website.
The LINk has 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 20 working days;
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.
It is important 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 (visit website link, see right of this page under external links) or
telephone a local tariff phone number 0845 094 9497 or
write to the LINk c/o PO Box 3409, Melksham SN12 7WS.