More about LINks
The Department of Health has made funding available to Hampshire County Council to pay for a host organisation to be set up. The host will manage and support the LINK, which will be independent of Hampshire County Council and the NHS and take all its own decisions.
Invitation to tender goes out in February 2008 and a host organisation will be appointed by the end of May with a view to setting up by September and establishing a fully operational LINk by April 2009.
The host organisation will provide support and practical advice to the link, including holding the finances, recruiting members, managing data and communications.
The LINK will be able to visit services to see what they do, write reports and recommendations, ask for information which must be provided within a set time and report findings to the Scrutiny Board and get a response.
To date, one of the main tools the NHS has used to listen to patients has been through local Patient and Public Involvement Forums (PPIFs). Patient involvement is to be further developed through the establishment of a LINk. Arrangements are currently being developed to ensure the excellent work of the PPIFs is built on and all stakeholders continue to be involved in shaping health and social care needs across the county in the run up to the establishment of the LINk and working together thereafter.
Hampshire County Council and partners will keep stakeholders fully informed and engaged throughout the process.