LINks ( Local Involvement Networks ) Stronger voice, better care Building the Relationships 11 th November 2008

Role of LINk’s Promote & support the involvement of people in the commissioning, provision and scrutiny of local care services Obtain the views of people about their needs for, and their experiences of, local care services Enable people to monitor and review the commissioning and provision of care services Convey people’s views to organisations responsible for commissioning, providing, managing & scrutinising local care services & recommend how services can be improved

Powers of LINks Under legislation LINks can: –enter specified types of premises & view the care provided –ask commissioners for information & receive a response within a specified timescale –make reports & recommendations & receive a response from commissioners within a specified timescale –refer matters to an Overview and Scrutiny Committee & receive a response.

Stronger voice, better care More people involved in a way that suits them Pool of local knowledge & expertise Evidence-based input & systematic feedback Mechanism to facilitate ongoing engagement with whole population-a single system to involve communities More responsive & accountable services More effective use of resources

‘Health Reform in England: Update & Commissioning Framework’ (July 2006) ‘LINks have a key role to play in helping commissioners use people’s knowledge & experience to improve the services they use’

‘Health Reform in England: Update & Commissioning Framework’ (July 2006) Key messages: PCT’s need to…………… Form strong relationships with LINk’s Ensure LINk’s involved in commissioning & the development of PCT prospectus Ensure practices have engaged patients & LINk’s in service redesign

Commissioners and local people will work together as partners Needs assessment will include engaging local communities and interest groups PCTs will involve local people in deciding priorities and planning services The views of patients and people who use services will be an important part of reviewing service provision and managing performance Practice-based commissioners will work with patients in the redesign of services

Commissioning Framework-Health & Wellbeing (March 2007) Aimed at……. Commissioners & providers in health, social care & local authorities Commissioning for all the population in a locality A shift towards services that are personal, sensitive to individual need & that maintain independence & dignity

Commissioning Framework-Health & Wellbeing (March 2007) Commissioners should enable local people to exercise greater voice & influence by: –Engaging with LINk’s –Using innovative methods & supporting advocacy approaches Joint Strategic Needs Assessments

World Class Commissioning Vision: World class commissioners proactively seek and build continuous and meaningful engagement with the public and patients, to shape services and improve health.

World Class Commissioning To meet the WCC competencies PCT’s have to demonstrate how they have engaged with LINks

Putting People First Transformation of adult social care-independent living for all adults People shaping & commissioning own services- Personal Budgets LINks as a ‘barometer’: –intelligence on what people want to spend their budgets on –intelligence on service quality to inform personal commissioning decisions

In practice this means……. LINks offer commissioners: A mechanism for continuous & meaningful engagement Intelligence to inform health & care needs assessment: –Issues & priorities of community –Gaps where people excluded –A view of whole care pathway –Challenging assumptions

In practice this means……. LINks providing intelligence to inform & facilitate - Responsive service planning & development, contracting & procurement : –Feedback determines service specifications & quality indicators Performance management & evaluation: –Do purchased services meet local needs & aspirations?

Thank you for listening. Stephanie Varah LINk’s Implementation Co-ordinator