Business as usual for LINks Exchange

As reported in August, the National Centre for Involvement has now closed. But the service to local LINks provided by the LINks Exchange is now being run by NHS Choices and is continuing to operate as normal and provide a service to people representing the users of Health and Social Care services.

In preparation for the closure of the NHS Centre for Involvement at the end of August, all the LINks related resource materials they have produced for the Department of Health have been reviewed. The review identified a range of materials which remain valuable in supporting LINks and these have been retained and refreshed to take account of policy developments and have been re-branded with the LINks identity.

These documents form the NCI legacy and include materials such as the LINks Guides, the Early Adopter Project reports and materials from all NCI Directorates which supported LINks.

Useful Advice and Guidance Still Available

All of these legacy materials are available on LX network in the ADVICE AND GUIDANCE section of theResources. You will need to register to see them, but this is a simple process and anyone can register. Just visit the LINks Exchange website.

New Protocol on LINks and Foundation Trusts working together

The Foundation Trust Network and the Department of Health have produced a short protocol setting out the different roles and responsibilities of LINks and NHS Foundation Trusts (FTs) for involving the public. The protocol explains how LINks and NHS FTs might work together to maximise impact and minimise duplication of effort.

The protocol is available in the Resources section of LINks Exchange.