Getting involved in Local Involvement Networks LINks

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Getting involved inLocal Involvement
Networks(LINks)

• Andy Harrison

Long Term Conditions Alliance
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• LTCA is the umbrella body for national voluntary
  organisations in the UK working to meet the needs
  of people with long-term health conditions
• Our Mission To ensure people affected by
  long-term conditions have access to the services
  and support they need and can be active
  participants in determining their care.
• LTCA is also a member of the consortium that
  makes up the NHS Centre for Involvement (NCI).

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Presentation Summary

• What is a LINk?
• Why get involved in the local LINk?
• How can we get involved?
• More information

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What is a LINk?

• A strong community voice that can influence
• commissioning of local health and care services

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What is special about LINks?

• Creative building on existing networks and
  partnerships
• Flexible enabling different methods of
  participation, both from individuals and groups
• Powerful having legal powers to require
  information from commissioners and providers of
  services, and to receive a response to comments

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A LINk is a network that is made up of many
groups and individuals, for example
Carers Network
Neighbourhood renewal network
Youth Council
Local Strategic Partnership
Individuals
Individuals
Foundation Trust Governors
Patients Transport Groups
LINk
Tenants Groups
Local business groups
Minority Ethnic Groups
Patient Groups
Older Peoples Forum
Individuals
Individuals
Faith Groups
Support Groups for Specific Service Users
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• A successful LINk will be owned, developed and
  shaped by groups, organisations and individuals
  at
• grass-roots level.
• LINks were established from
• 1 April 2008.

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Why get involved in the local LINk?

• LINks create opportunities to
• influence the commissioning of health and care
  service
• get our issues higher on the agenda of the
  statutory sector
• give members a louder, stronger voice
• make use of the legal powers of LINks for the
  benefit of our members
• network with other PPI enthusiasts and share
  knowledge

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When can we get involved?

• At the beginning to shape the focus and
  priorities
• When its established to provide members with
  an amplified voice
• When theres an issue relating to commissioning
  or provision of services that would benefit from
  broader input and a louder voice

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How can we get involved?

• In person
• Through events
• Through meetings
• Electronically
• By phone
• By letter
• On our terms

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Where to go for more information

• Locally contact your Local Authority or LINk
  Host organisation
• Documents www.nhscenterforinvolvement.nhs.uk
• LINks Helpdesk e mail info_at_LINks.nhs.uk
• LINks Helpdesk phone Tel [phone]
• Share information www.pcx.nhs.uk

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• Thank you
• Brenda Cook
• Voluntary and Community Sector
• LINks Project Worker
• Long Term Conditions Alliance (LTCA)