LINk has been collecting suggestions from members since the end of 2010 for its priorities for 2011. These Suggestions will be discussed and there will be a final decision on what issues LINk focuses its time and resources on and how the projects will work…..come and have your say and find out how you could be part of these projects.

Please read the priorities paper and let us know either before or during the meeting whether you would be interested in working on any particular project.  There will also be an opportunity to express your interest once the priorities have been decided.

A lengthy list of amendments was discussed, including changes that would delay the abolition of PCTs and ensure the NHS Board has a role in managing the NHS as a whole.

During a noisy exchange with the Health and Social Care Bill committee, health minister Simon Burns was repeatedly pressed on the section of legislation that aims to protect the NHS from political interference.

Labour MPs warned that in its current form, the Health Bill absolves the secretary of state responsibility for the provision of NHS services. But Mr Burns said accountability was already ‘integral’ to the Bill. He was eventually warned by the committee chairman to ‘stop being so provocative deliberately’ as he fended off criticism.

None of the amendments debated was passed. The committee will continue to consider amendments to the Bill until the end of March. After the report stage, MPs will vote on the Bill at its third reading in Parliament, before moving to the House of Lords.

Monday 17th January’s meeting looks to be pretty action packed, with Elections to the LINk Executive prior to the meeting from 5- 6pm, the business meeting from 6-7pm and a two presentations at 7.30pm. Dr Jeremy Gray will be giving an update on Government plans for GP commissioning and Jenny Weinstein, Wandsworth LINk Vice Chair, will be presenting on future plans for Health Watch.

In addition to this everyone is invited to make suggestions on what issues they think the LINk should focus on in 2011.

The meeting will be taking place at Tooting Leisure Centre and there will be refreshments available. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Department of Health have produced a report on the information produced in the Annual Reports of Local Involvement Networks (LINks) across the country.

The report shows £126 mil gross annual benefit from LINks which equates to a return of £4.10 for every £1 spent.

Highlights from the report include:

• There was an estimated total of 70,300 members of LINks in England in 2009/10, almost three times the number of members in 2008/09. The average number of members within a LINk for 2009/10 is 489, made up of individuals or groups. This is three times the average membership of last year.
• LINks engaged with an estimated total of 192,000 people in 2009/10, with 42% of engaged people relating to social care.
• Activity has significantly increased this year. There were 3,980 requests for information estimated in 2009/10, seven times the requests of last year.
  There were an estimated 1,300 reports and recommendations made this year, 16 times the number of reports in 2008/09.
• LINKs activity has led to an estimated 460 plus service changes and over 520 service reviews in 2009/10.
• Case studies have shown LINks activity to be cost effective. Using four of the case studies, a gross annual benefit of £126 million can be estimated, a return of £4.10 for every £1 spent.

Local Involvement Networks ( LINks) Annual Reports 2009/2010

Release date: Thursday 16th December 10

By: Wendy Phillips
Telephone 020 8871 8902 or Email: wphillips@wandsworth.gov.uk

Comment on this article

Wandsworth people can now have their say by submitting an online petition.

The council has introduced an e-petition function on its website. It means that instead of collecting names on a piece of paper, people can gather signatures online. The petition will be on the council website for an agreed period of up to three months and can then be submitted to councillors for discussion in the normal way.

 Anybody who lives, works or studies in the borough can submit an e-petition. You can also submit one if you have a connection with a relevant council service (for example you are related to someone in the care of Wandsworth).

For the full articles please see archived edition 04/02/2010 page 5 in http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?refresh=d06W9gP1sL05&PBID=47c1cbbd-4d2d-409e-8458-8703ef40dcda

Carol says …

I am a lawyer and an academic by background and I believe that I can bring my expertise in these areas to add value to the LINk Executive. As a young (ish) professional person, I also believe that I can help the Executive better represent this particular constituency who form such a large percentage of Wandsworth’s population.

On Monday 18th January 2010 between 6p.m. and 8.30 p.m. the LINk will be holding a meeting at which we will elect a new Executive Committee member to fill the vacant place on the Executive. All members of LINk are invited to take part in this election.

Under the current agreement the elected candidate will serve for the remainder of the vacant term i.e. until January 2012. (It should be noted that the term served by an elected member is currently under review)

All current members will receive a letter or email depending on their specified preference and pack in the post detailing how they can nominate and vote. Alternatively all relevant documents are available here:

• nomination for election form
• appointment of proxy form
• nomination and voting procedure

Nominations

Any member who has signed up as a LINk member by 12 noon on Monday 21st December 2009 can stand for election. This is also the deadline for receipt of nominations for election to the Executive Committee.

You do not need a proposer or seconder- you can nominate yourself and fill in the statement in support of the nomination and declaration of interest.

 
How you can vote….

• In Person on the night – Monday 18th January 2010

• By appointing another person to act as your proxy.

• By Post – This must be requested by 12 noon on Monday 4th January 2009, from the Host (Wandsworth Care Alliance). The vote must then be completed and returned to the Host office by 12 noon on Friday 15th January 2010.

 
What if I am not a member but would like to vote?

If you would like to register as a member and in turn take part in these elections then please click here.
If you would like any additional information or assistance completing the nomination form or with voting arrangements, please ring the Host at WCA on 02085 167 767 or email sarah@wandcareall.org.uk and someone will be pleased to assist you.

If you would like to make any comments on what we are going to talk about, please get in touch with Sarah at Wandsworth Care Alliance by noon on Monday 23rd November. You can reach her on 020 8696 1709 or by email sarah@wandcareall.org.uk

We look forward to seeing you.

Wandsworth LINk will be holding its Executive Committee meeting on 23rd November at 7.30 at York Gardens Library, Battersea, Lavender Road, London, SW11 2UG. There will be a presentation on Hospital Discharge and care planning, followed by an open discussion. Please do come along and share your views.

Click here to view the agenda and minutes from the previous Executive Committee on 28th September.