Liverpool City Council - Local Involvement Networks (LINks)

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Local Involvement Networks (LINks)

The Government recognises that health and social care services will only get better if we listen and respond to the needs of the people who use them.

To date, one of the main tools the NHS has used to listen to patients has been through local Patient Forums. 

From April 2008 the Government plans to replace these forums with Local Involvement Networks (LINks).

LINks are being introduced to help strengthen the system that enables communities to shape the care they receive. LINks will:

• Provide everyone in the community, including individuals and voluntary groups, with the chance to say what they think about local health and social care services
• Give local people the chance to influence how services are planned and run
• Provide feedback to services about what's working and what's not            

Local authorities and local communities need to get ready for LINks. The information on these web pages explains how we are doing this in Liverpool and how you can get involved. To find out more about LINks, look at our Frequently Asked Questions by following the link at the bottom of this page. Or you can visit  www.nhscentreforinvolvement.nhs.uk/local_involvementnetworks

What are we doing in Liverpool?

Last year we talked to individuals and groups in local communities to get them involved in LINks. Some of you were already involved in the current Patient Forums - and we value your commitment and want build on your expertise. Some of you, whether individuals or groups, were involved for the first time and we would like to thank you for working with us and hope that you will continue to be involved.

You can read the report from the stakeholder event held in December last year here. 

We are now ready to find an organisation to host LINks. We are keen for community and voluntary organisations, as well as social enterprises, which have a track record in community engagement to take up the opportunities that will exist either to become a host or take an active role in the LINk itself.  If you would like to find out more about the contract for the host organisation go to the current tenders page of the website at: www.liverpool.gov.uk/Business/Business_procurement/Current_tenders/index.asp

We need to all work together to make it as simple and convenient as possible for people to have their say. You can read the first LINks Newsletter by following this link.
If you would like to register to receive our LINks bulletin or information about LINks events, please complete the registration form and return to Natalie Markham at the address below. 

To help everyone get ready for LINks The Department of Health has produced two resources: "Planning your Local Involvement Network" and "Contracting a host organisation for your Local Involvement Network". 

Both of these resources can be downloaded by visiting www.dh.gov.uk/patientpublicinvolvement

Contact Us

Any queries relating to LINks can be directed to:

Natalie Markham
Room 7
1 - 7 Brougham Terrace
West Derby Road
Liverpool L6 1AE

Tel: 0151 225 4964
Email: Natalie.markham@liverpool.gov.uk