LINk Chair Mike Marsh gives an update of how under the Health and Social Care Bill, which is currently going through parliament, Local Involvement Networks (LINKs), including Liverpool LINk, will become Local HealthWatch organisations in October 2012.
Local Authorities will be under a duty to ensure that there is an effective and efficient local HealthWatch in their area and in Liverpool discussions are currently taking place between LINk, Liverpool City Council, the Primary Care Trust and LCVS | United Way, the current Liverpool LINk host organisation, to make arrangements to ensure a smooth transition.
HealthWatch will be an independent consumer champion for the public both locally and nationally, aiming to promote better outcomes in health for all and in social care for adults. If the Health and Social Care Bill goes through as originally planned, Liverpool HealthWatch will be able to:
- Help shape the planning and delivery of local health and social care services - a continuation of Liverpool LINk’s current role;
- Provide information and advice to help people make choices about health and care services;
- Help to advocate for people making a complaint about health or adult care services.
Liverpool LINk will provide further information to the public as soon as we have access to national guidance and local strategic plans.
Volunteer with us!
Liverpool LINk relies on people who are using Liverpool health and social care services telling us what has been good, bad or indifferent about their hospitals, GPs, dentists, care homes and pharmacies, and how they think these services could be improved. We need your help to get this right! If you would like to get involved, please contact a member of the LINk Support Team. You can give as much or as little time as you wish. Training and out of pocket expenses will be given.
To keep up to date and to find out more about our work, contact us on: telephone 0151 227 5177, e-mail info@liverpoollink.org.uk.
www.liverpoollink.org