LINk set to offer better Health challenge

Staffordshire’s Local Involvement Network is crucial amongst the bodies that oversee Health and Care…

I’ve written a number of times about it. It became clear during my induction that LINk wasn’t working as intended when it was set up well before my time. A report from the Department of Health acknowledged that but the recommendations to improve it, for me, weren’t strong enough and the public had clearly lost faith in it.

At the time, my decision to cease it in its then form and relaunch it wasn’t welcomed by some of the key volunteers at the time and strangeley, as I’ve learned quickly in this job, it even attracted criticism from some close to it who wanted it scrapped.

Anyway time has moved on and whilst it’s temporarily sitting back within my Department, work is moving on nicely to reform it based broadly on the feedback at recent consultation events attended by existing and, positively, a lot of new potential volunteers.

I had a session on the proposals last week and have to say it’s looking clearer, more focussed with a framework for wider participation in steering where LINk goes and what it looks at. I’m really pleased and shortly the final stages of work will see the appointment of a new external and impartial host body to take LINk forwards.

Quite rightly, Health is under the spotlight in Staffordshire and it’s vital that the different bodies, statutory and voluntary (LINk is both) that make up the scrutineering framework for Health and Care collaborate and cooperate much better than in the past. And that’s what we’re aiming to happen going forwards.

LINk is also looking for new volunteers across Staffordshire. It will be important and very interesting work giving a real opportunity to make a difference in the way Health and Care services are deliverd. It’s as time consuming as you want to make it so why not get involved? Click here for more information.

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