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The Change Agent Team decided to run these networks in response to the overwhelming number of requests for participation in Phase 2 of its work programme. Membership was offered to those care communities that could not be included in the smaller group to receive intensive whole systems support from the team because the demand for this support far exceeded the capacity of the team. Each network is divided into two groups - one each for the north and the south of the country - for ease of meeting

The network topics were chosen to reflect the key areas of interest expressed by participants. They are

Each network will enable participating organisations to share information about what works (and what does not), and carry out development work. The organisations will be assisted to develop a local action/performance improvement plan. Meetings of the intermediate care and care pathways/integrated discharge planning networks will usually be held jointly, since there are clear overlaps between them and in many care communities the same staff are involved.

Member care communities select a team representing local stakeholder agencies to be part of the network. Team members commit to active participation in the network by attendance at meetings, local joint action to promote change, and the sharing of local learning and experience through the network. Each team has a leader to co-ordinate team effort and act as the main contact point for communication with the CAT LIN lead.