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Local Involvement Network (LINk)

for Health and Social Services in Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead

LINk Logo From April 2008 the Government has changed the way local people are able to influence health and social care services. A Local Involvement Network (LINk) has been established for every Local Authority area that has responsibility for providing Social Services.

LINks have replaced Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Forums, who were based around each NHS Trust and were mainly limited to NHS services.

The Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead LINk is a network of local people, organisations and groups that want to see good health and social care services for all. It gives you the chance to say what you think and to suggest ideas to improve services. The LINk is backed up by certain powers which:

Give everyone the chance to say what they think about their local services - what is working well and what is not so good
Give people the chance to check how services are planned and run
Feedback to the service providers on what people have said about services so that things can change for the better
Include the right to enter defined premises and view services. To collect the views and experiences of service users and to make recommendations
To request information from commissioners of services and to receive a response within twenty days
To refer matters to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and receive a response from elected members

So far your LINk has:

Formed a Steering Group to get things moving
Developed and published a structure with procedures to define how it operates
Collected and analysed initial public perception of the priorities facing us
Started initial projects to address identified problems (see below)
Embarked on a publicity drive to inform and involve as many as possible
Decided to hold elections to the Steering Group in April 2009

The LINk is funded by the government, but sets its own agenda. The Local Authority has appointed a "Host" organisation to support the LINk. Our Host is Help and Care, which provides administrative support. We have a dedicated member of the Host team working in Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead. The Host works directly for the LINk, helping it to carry out its policies and plans, but is contractually accountable to the Council of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

Initial projects

Survey of public concerns about health and social care
Care of the elderly, for which investigation of transport services to and from hospitals was identified as a priority.
Monitoring use of St Mark's Hospital Minor Injuries Unit.

How to get involved

Any individual or organisation within the Royal Borough can be involved. Involvement is as little or as much as you choose. By joining the register of interested people and organisations you will be kept informed and may choose to become involved in projects that interest you. The register of people and organisations is known as the "Reference Group". If you are able to dedicate some time and have organisational skills, you may wish to put your name forward for election to the Steering Group.

The Steering Group has set the following objectives for the LINk:

To provide a common approach to monitoring health and social care within the RBW&M
To provide a stronger, more independent voice
To represent the widest possible range of views
To make community involvement more convenient

Volunteers are not paid, but are entitled to claim out of pocket expenses.
We are committed to representing the needs of the whole community. We are therefore particularly keen to hear from you even if you do not usually make your voice heard.

To find out more, call 0300 111 0102