Health watchdog relaunch event successful

“It’s important that Health and Social Care services are open to independent challenge and advice”… 

The Staffordshire Local Involvement Network (LINk) was relaunched a few days ago at an event attended by over a hundred people.

It was originally set up about 20 months ago but hasn’t really delivered the outcomes that were intended. The volunteers involved worked hard but the previous LINk was beset with internal issues and the organisation contracted by the County to administer it was also heavily criticised.

Soon after I took over responsibility for Staffordshire’s Social Care and Health it became apparent that LINk had problems and despite the recommendations in a Department of Health review I decided it was time to scrap the existing model and start again.

Although widely welcomed not everyone was happy at that decision but with Stafford Hospital still very fresh in people’s minds it’s important we have fit for purpose independent bodies that can offer fair but tough challenge to the Health and Care sector.

That view is certainly held by Phillip Ezra Jones who is Vice Chairman of Staffordshire’s Health Scrutiny Committee. He made an empassioned speech in the County Chamber urging that a new LINk be more effective and set up as quickly as possible.

The recent event has kicked that process off and, to a great degree, the issues that troubled the old LINk internally seem to have been left behind with new people getting involved a new external host organisation being contracted as soon as possible. I’d like to see the new LINk fully functional by Easter.

LINk volunteers play a vital role in shaping Staffordshire’s health orientated public services. If you want to make a difference which really helps people, get involved. You can find out how, here. 

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