30 January, 2012 | By Ben Clover- HSJ

Following elections for the Executive  held  at the end of 2011, two of the elected members, Susan Marshall and Martin Ellacott have had to withdraw for personal reasons.

Our constitution enables us to co-opt members in this circumstance for the period until the next election.  We would really like to hear from people, especially  service users or carers who might be interested in being co-opted onto the committee.

I would be very pleased to chat with anyone who would like to talk over what is involved and I can assure you that support  would be provided and special needs, if required,  met.

This is a really exciting time with Wandsworth LINk working as a HealthWatch Pathfinder with opportunities to influence the changing health and welfare landscape and make a positive difference for users and carers.  Please come and  join us.

Jenny Weinstein

Wandsworth Clinical Commissioning Group have identified their key health priorities for Wandsworth for the next three years as detailed in their Commissioning Strategy Plan (CSP) for period 2012-15.

They’re keen to hear feedback from LINk on the priorities, which you can read by clicking on the link below.

CCG- Wandsworth’s health priorities for 2012-15

Have the Clinical Commissioning Group got their priorities right? have they missed any priority areas?

What do you think of their Vision, Values and Strategic Goals?

Have they identified the right local health needs? Is anything missing?

If you have any comments please send them to Sherrinah Carr by Monday 6^th February 2012.

0208 812 7308

Sherrinah.carr@wpct.nhs.uk

In the second half of 2011 LINk carried out a consultation with seldom heard sections of the community to find out their concerns about health services and their ideas for involvement in the new NHS structures. Nine groups received funding to carry out consultation exercises with stakeholders and a further seven hard to reach groups were consulted for their views.

To read the full report click here The Voice of Seldom Heard Groups

Summary

• ·         Access and communication difficulties are key problems for marginalised groups, which is one reason why their health outcomes are poorer.

• The role of expert patients in strategic decision-making and in improving health outcomes must be recognised and incorporated into the commissioning process
• Commissioners must expect providers to have inclusive, welcoming, sensitive and accommodating attitudes to all service users.

Policy Recommendations

To address these issues a number of common suggestions emerged about involving people:

• Health service providers should conduct an audit of their systems of access and communications with service users
• Ensure diverse representation on consultative groups (in a way that does not necessarily require attendance at meetings)
• Ensure that representatives of diverse groups advise on tender specifications – especially on issues of access
• Use representatives of diverse groups to train and advise commissioners and service providers to raise awareness and change attitudes
• Use community leaders and voluntary organisations to consult people in community resources where they feel comfortable
• Set up online health groups and forums

Our Enter and View team has published its report on Wandsworth Your Way, a resource centre for people with mental health problems in central and west Wandsworth. The report reflects the broadly positive views expressed by the service users interviewed while attending an “open office” session in November. The team recognised the innovative nature of the service which it felt deserved a systematic evaluation but expressed some concerns for the future. These will be picked up in a wider report on the background, recent changes in commissioning and issues for future consideration, which is to be published shortly and discussed at a meeting next month with Wandsworth Social Services Dept, the Mental Health Trust and representatives of service users and carers.

to read the report click here Final Report -Wandsworth Your Way.

Please do let us know what you think of the report.

In preparation for the new role that HealthWatch will have to undertake LINk is looking to assess how effectively local health and social care agencies provide advice and information   .

 The Project group will devise questions to ask the different services, mystery shop the services and write a report on their findings. As a volunteer you can be involved in one or all of these areas.

 If you want to take part in the project, you have to sign up as a LINk Member.  Membership is free and by becoming a LINk member you can have your say about improving health and social care services in Wandsworth.The first meeting is due to take place on 14th December from 1.45-3.45 pm. If you would like to attend please get in touch.

 You can get a membership form and a nomination form from Wandsworth Care Alliance (WCA) on 0208 516 7767.  You can also get both these forms on the LINk website – www.wandsworthlink.org.uk

Ring WCA office on 0208 516 7767 and they will help you