Website of the Department of Health

31 October 2008

LINKs Bulletin - issue 16 2008

The 16th and final edition of the Local Involvement Networks (LINks) bulletin has now been published. The bulletin has been developed to help keep you up-to-date with developments on LINks. The latest issue includes:
- information on the new LINks identity
- an update on two new LINk guides 
- and a feature about involving people with learning disabilities

• LINks bulletin Issue 16, October 2008 - Gateway reference 10775 (opens new window)

30 October 2008

 New statutory guidance to help NHS involve people in healthcare

The NHS must engage better with patients and the public in developing plans and making  decisions about local health services.  New guidance, called Real involvement will help the public become more involved with decisions made by the NHS such as redesigning services or developing a commissioning strategy.

• Real involvement: working with people to improve services

17 October 2008

Have your say on a review of health overview and scrutiny

The Government wants to help support the improvement of the scrutiny of local health services. The Department of Health is about to launch a  review to establish how local authority overview and scrutiny committees and the NHS can work more effectively together to achieve better, safer, modernised health services. A number of regional events are being held to find out people’s thoughts and ideas about how this can be achieved. The events will take place between 11th November 2008  - 3rd December 2008.

To register or to find out more, visit the OSC website

• OSC Regional Events website (opens new window)

13 August 2008

Consultation response published on LINks regulations

The Department of Health has published a response to a consultation it held on the draft regulations for Local Involvement Networks (LINks). The draft regulations set out how LINks’ powers would work in practice and the consultation asked a number of specific questions. The publication summarises the consultation results and the Governments response to the views expressed

• Response to the consultation on regulations for Local Involvement Networks (LINks)

18 July 2008

Code of conduct for LINks visits published

Local Involvement Networks, which aim to help communities shape local health and care services, are able (under the law) to enter certain publicly funded health and care services to see them at work.

To help ensure that these visits by authorised LINks’ representatives are carried out correctly, a code of conduct has been published. Informed by best practice, as well as the views of service users and providers, the code aims to ensure that visits are proportionate, reasonable and do not impact on the rights of people who use services.

The Government believes that if LINks are going to do their job effectively, there are occasions when their representatives need to see services at work. However with this ability come responsibilities that need to be understood and risks that need to be guarded against.

The Government has already put in place strong legal safeguards to protect patient’s rights, their safety and the smooth delivery of care. As well as explaining the legal responsibilities and duties, the code: sets out good practice in terms of preparing for a visit; provides advice for authorised representatives at the time of their visit (including examples of conduct which might mean entry could be refused) ; and covers what LINks should consider once a visit has finished.

The Department of Health has urged both LINks and providers to use this guidance to help build an open and constructive relationship between services and their community.

• Code of Conduct relating to Local Involvement Networks visits to enter and view services

LINKs Bulletin - issue 14 2008

The 14th edition of the Local Involvement Networks (LINks) bulletin has now been published. The bulletin has been developed to help keep you up-to-date with developments on LINks.

The latest issue includes:
- information on a new code of conduct for LINks' visits
- an update on key themes to emerge from nine regional LINk workshops  
- and a feature about community development

• Issue 14, June/July 2008 - Gateway reference 10227 (opens new window)

8 July 2008

Stronger voice, better care - Local Involvement Networks (LINks) explained

A Local Involvement Network (LINk) is being set up in every area of England to help communities influence or change the way their local NHS and social are services are delivered.

This document explains more about LINks and how local people and groups can get involved.

This publication supersedes previous versions of the 'LINks explained'.

• Stronger voice, better care - Local Involvement Networks (LINks) explained

1 April 2008

Directions made in respect of Local Involvement Networks

The Secretary of State has powers under primary legislation to give directions that are legally binding and must be complied with by the recipient.  The Secretary of State has made two sets of Directions, both in respect of Local Involvement Networks (LINks).

The first set of directions are to LINks themselves, setting out their duties when it comes to providing annual reports to the Secretary of State.

The second set are to commissioners of health and social care services (Primary Care Trusts; NHS trusts most or all of whose hospitals, establishments and facilities are situated in England; Strategic Health Authorities; and local authorities). These set out the requirements they need to include in their future contracts with independent providers. These amendments relate to allowing LINks representatives to enter and view services, as well as providing LINks with information relating to services they might run which are publicly funded.

A briefing has been produced by the Department of Health for providers of independent services about this second set of Directions.

• Directions on Matters to be Addressed in Local Involvement Network Annual Reports 2008
• Directions about the Arrangements to be made by Relevant Bodies in respect of Local Involvement Networks 2008
• Local Involvement Networks: briefing for independent providers
• Press release 1 April 2008: Stronger voice and better care for patients
  
  (opens new window)

Mark Britnell, Director General of Commissioning and System Management, has written to chief executives outlining the implications of the introduction of LINks, and the reform of the NHS complaints process.

• Local Involvement Networks and the NHS complaints process

5 March 2008

LINk regulations on transition and governance published

The regulations covering LINks' governance and transition arrangements have been laid before Parliament today and will come into force on 1 April 2008.

It is important that local authorities check the details of the regulations before they finalise contracts with the 'host' organisations which will set-up and support LINks. This is because the Regulations contain inportant information relating to LINks' membership, decision-making arrangements and transition.

• The Local Involvement Networks Regulations 2008 (opens new window)

3 March 2008

New Director of Patient & Public Affairs

The Department of Health has appointed of Joan Saddler OBE as the new Director of Patient and Public Affairs. Ms Saddler will champion the importance of engaging and listening to patients and the public as key to delivering better health and care. 

Commenting on the appointment, Health Minister Ann Keen said:

“I am delighted that Joan will be bringing her extensive experience of patient and public involvement to this new national role.

“The programmes she pioneered in east London demonstrated the value and importance of engaging patients and the public in development of health services, a fundamental principle that lies at the heart of our reforms to the NHS. I am confident she will make an equally significant contribution at a national level.”

Joan Saddler said:

“I am very pleased to accept this exciting new role. I am passionate about community engagement and look forward to working with groups across the NHS, so that patients and the public are true partners in the delivery and improvement of healthcare.”

Ms Saddler will be starting later in the spring. Ms Saddler is currently Chair of Waltham Forest PCT, where she has led the development of a successful public and patient involvement strategy, recognised nationally for its innovation.  She was also a founder member and joint Chair of the first National BME Forum for clinicians and leaders, and has played a key role as national advisor on issues of NHS leadership, equality and community engagement.