What is the LINk?
It is widely recognised that local health and social care services improve if people’s views are listened to and acted on. In April 2008, the government introduced Local Involvement Networks (LINks) to make sure that this happens. In every local authority area, Patient and Public Forums were replaced by LINks in order to give people a stronger voice and better care.
LINks are networks of individuals, community groups and organisations who work together to improve these local services. The job of a LINk is to find out what people like and dislike about local services, and to work with the people who plan and run them to help make them better.
From October 2012 LINks will be replaced by Local HealthWatch which have additional responsibilities for signposting and complaints advocacy. Read more about HealthWatch
What does North Tyneside LINk do?
- ask local people what they think of local health and social care
- encourage people to suggest ideas to care professionals that may help improve services
- look into specific issues of concern to the community
- make recommendations to the people who plan and run services and expect a response within a specific period of time
- carry out visits, when necessary, to see if services are working well (visits are carried out under safeguards)
- refer issues to the local council Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee if it seems that action is not being taken
Join LINk using our on-line form
Read our 'Join LINk' leaflet
Print and display our LINk poster