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What's a LINk?

What's a LINk

A LINk has been set up in every area of England to help local people influence or change the way their local NHS and social care services are planned and delivered.

By being part of your local LINk you can make your voice heard and improve services.

A LINk is made up of individuals and community groups who work together to improve local health and social care 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
This may involve talking directly to health and social care professionals about a service that is not being offered, or suggesting ways that an existing service could be made better
LINks also have powers to help them do their job and to make sure that changes happen

How we've helped

Over fifty representatives appointed by the LINk Board have actively represented the views of patients and the public on local NHS committees.
In addition, the LINk Chair and Vice-Chairs have met quarterly with the Chief Executives of the Hertfordshire NHS Trusts and with the Chief Executive and Chairs of the Hertfordshire Primary Care Trusts. Current issues and concerns were raised and discussed at these meetings.
During the year LINk members have been involved in local consultations on the options for general hospitals in Hertfordshire.

Engagement with Hertfordshire Social Services

Quarterly meetings have been held with the Director of Adult Care Services to consider a variety of issues including:
• the below standard performance of two home care contractors
• the provision of adult care services for those with Autism and Aspergers
In the latter case, the LINk succeeded in bringing together local representatives of the National Autistic Society and the Director of Adult Care Services. The Director has undertaken to respond to the National Autistic Society’s proposals on adult care services for people with Autism and Aspergers.

Engagement with the Scrutiny Committees

Informal quarterly meetings have been held between the LINk Chair and the Chairs of the Hertfordshire County Council Health Scrutiny Committee and Overview Scrutiny Committee. A protocol has been agreed for formal submissions and responses between the LINk and the Scrutiny Committees. Agreement has also been reached that the LINk and the Scrutiny Committees will co-operate on major topics and will not duplicate each other’s activities.

Engagement with local people

Throughout the year members of the public and voluntary organisations have approached the LINk with concerns about a range of issues including:
• access to dentists in East Herts
• the location of family planning clinics in Watford
• the loss of a mobile breast screening clinic in Potters Bar
• the extension of a popular clinic for children with Downs Syndrome in East Herts

Get involved now

News...

LINk supports patients’ concerns about the LISTER SURGICENTRE

Challenge: Since its opening in September 2011, there have been numerous concerns about the Lister ...
...read more>

Healthwatch on the NHS and social care bill - Letter to Press

Malcolm Alexander, the Chair of the National Association of LINk Members (NALM) has been concerned ...
...read more>

Healthwatch on the NHS and social care bill - Letter to Press

Malcolm Alexander, the Chair of the National Association of LINk Members (NALM) has been concerned ...
...read more>

HertsHelp

HertsHelp is a network of community organisations working together.

They can help you find the practical support, guidance and information you need to get the most out of life.

Click here to find out how HertsHelp can help you.

Home

Get involved now

Healthwatch Hertfordshire Event Video

In November, Healthwatch Hertfordshire held four special events around the county; Watford, Ware, Redbourn, and Letchworth.

The events were open to all, and gave people the opportunity to meet Sarah Wren, the new Chair of Herts LINk and Healthwatch Hertfordshire and Geoff Brown, the CEO of Healthwatch Hertfordshire, as well as hearing Sarah Wren speak about Healthwatch’s plans for the future. A presentation was given by Councillor Richard Roberts regarding the Health and Wellbeing Board and when available, one was given by a representative from the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG.)

Sarah Wren encouraged people to get involved with the new Healthwatch and described the many ways in which this can be achieved. Attendees at the event were given the opportunity to ask any questions about Healthwatch and the presentations given.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW A SHORT VIDEO SUMMARISING THE HEALTHWATCH HERTFORDSHIRE EVENTS.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO WATCH SARAH WREN'S PRESENTATION

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO WATCH TIM ANFILOGOF'S PRESENTATION

Healthwatch Hertfordshire Information

Click HERE to read information about Healthwatch Hertfordshire, which was available in the packs at our four special Healthwatch Hertfordshire events. This includes information on becoming a Director of Healthwatch Hertfordshire and being on the Stakeholder panel, as well as application forms for these roles.

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111 Number

NHS 111 is a new service that's being introduced to make it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare services. You can call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency. NHS 111 is a fast and easy way to get the right help, whatever the time.

Click HERE to visit the NHS Choices website and read more about the 111 number

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Healthwatch Hertfordshire and Healthwatch England Discussion

Click HERE to watch a video of Anna Bradley, chair of Healthwatch England, talk to Sarah Wren, chairman of Healthwatch Hertfordshire about the priorities for the network and how we can work together.

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What is a LINk?

A LINk is made up of individuals and community groups who work together to improve local health and social care 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
This may involve talking directly to health and social care professionals about a service that is not being offered, or suggesting ways that an existing service could be made better
LINks also have powers to help them do their job and to make sure that changes happen

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What is Healthwatch?

In April 2012, Hertfordshire LINk will have transformed into Healthwatch Hertfordshire after the passing of the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Healthwatch wil be the public's statutory 'champion' on Health and Social Care Services, gathering information and opinions, influencing policy and commissioning decisions, keeping an eye on quality and reporting problems to regulators.

For more information about Healthwatch, click HERE.

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2012 Enter and View Reports

Following national concerns about the care of the vulnerable and elderly in basic care and dignity, the LINk General Health group put forward a request for a series of unannounced Enter and View visits to hospital wards. For further information and to read the reports, please click HERE.

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Press Releases, Briefing Documents and More

Please click HERE to read interesting documents, such as NHS Press Releases and North and East Herts Briefing Documents

Please click HERE to read the February 2013 newsletter for CUTTY LANE DROP IN CENTRE in Stevenage.

Please click HERE to read a press release from FOUR SWANS VISION regarding sports and activities for blind and visually impaired people.

East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust stakeholders bulletin

Please click HERE to read the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust stakeholders bulletin 'Precis'.

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Handwashing Disco- Style!!

Click here to watch NHS Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire team up with Northampton General Hospital and Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to celebrate Global Handwashing Day in a very special way. All the nurses, consultants, catering staff, porters, get down and boogy while showing the best way to wash your hands!

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Are you affected by cancer? Join the debate on cancer drugs

The Westminster Government will be changing the way new drugs are priced across the UK. These changes could affect the type and number of drugs that are made available on the NHS.

If you or someone you know has been affected by cancer, please fill in Prostate Cancer UK's online survey or consider taking part in a focus group or telephone interview.

Click here for more information and to fill out the survey.

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Friends and Family Programme

The July results for the NHS' Friends and Family Programme- where 30,000 patients across the Midlands and East (Including Hertfordshire) were asked, at the end of their treatment, “how likely is it that you would recommend this service to friends and family?” - have been published.

View them here

To view the webiste for the Friends and Family Programme, click here

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The NALM Briefing Note was published on 7th August.

It details the aims of NALM, key issues raised by the Health Committee with the GMC, information from the ERDB, UKPB and GMC and much more information.

The document can be sent to LINk members on request.

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LINk supports patients’ concerns about the LISTER SURGICENTRE

To find out more, click here.

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NHS Equality Delivery System (EDS)

The NHS in Hertfordshire is improving the way services are offered to all people in the community, but also looking at how we get it right for people who may have some specific needs.

The NHS wants to hear your views on how your experience when using your local GP, hospital, mental health service, learning disability service, ambulance service or any other health related service in Hertfordshire can be improved. Please click HERE for contact details and more information.