Islington LINk (Local Involvement Network) LINk newsletter September 2010For the latest news from Islington LINk click here. To join our mailing list and receive acopy of the newsletter every other month call us on 020 7832 5817. Islington Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy 2011-14 -- ConsultationA draft Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy has been produced by a partnership of organisations in Islington, which includes NHS Islington, London Borough of Islington and Camden and Islington Foundation Trust. They would like to know what you think about the document. Click here to go to our Consultations page for more information. The consultation ends 31 October 2010. Islington LINk 2009/10 Annual ReportThe LINk's 2009/10 Annual report has been submitted to the Secretary of State for Health. A more accessible public version of the report will be available in July. To view the full version CLICK HERE. New Mental Health guidanceWould you know or your members know what to expect if your rights are restricted under the Mental Health Act? The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published new information about what to expect and what to do if you're not satisfied with the care you have received. For more details and to download the new guidance, click HERE. Islington LINk Leaving Hospital ReportThe Islington LINk community research team have completed their report about people's experiences of leaving hospital in the borough. Please click here for the LINk Report. The LINk has been using this report to develop an action plan and it is working with local partners such as NHS Islington and Islington Council to implement the plans that get developed. For further information about this research or to ask for a hard copy of this report please contact Sophie Hale, LINk Support Officer, on 020 7832 5813 or email LINk@vai.org.uk. Islington LINk Fair 2010 - a Great Success!On Saturday 27th March 2010 the LINk held its Annual Event called the LINk Fair. Over 80 people attended the Fair and the LINk gathered lots of views from the community on health and social care services. The event was also a chance for local people to come along and vote for the new LINk Core Group (the group which oversees the working of the LINk) and to prioritise health and social care issues for the LINk Work Plan for 2010-11. The day began with introductions from some guest speakers. There was also an array of health and well-being related information and activity, with stalls from local services, healthy and fun workshops, free head and hand massages and face painting and storytelling for children. The results of the Core Group elections and a report about this event will be available soon. Islington LINk Care Homes Standards EventIslington LINk held a discussion day on Wednesday 24th February 2010 10am - 2pm to hear about local people's experiences of care homes for older people. The LINk also gave people the chance to hear about what is being done to monitor and improve standards in local care homes from the Local Authority. Around 30 people attended the event. There will be a report about the event available soon. LINk Presentation to NHS Islington BoardOne of the roles of the LINk is to report the voices of the local community to the service providers and commissioners. Islington LINk was invited to report on its conversations with local people on health and social care at the November meeting of NHS Islington’s Board. NHS Islington’s Board oversees the work, decision-making and planning at NHS Islington, the Board meets every two months and holds its meetings in public. The LINk agreed that giving a report to this Board on the comments received from local people was a good opportunity to feed the LINk views in to the providers and commissioners within the organisation. Key findings from your comments to the LINk were fed back to the Board with the following suggestions:
For a full copy of the report, click here. LINk and BME Forum Access to Services EventThe Islington LINk and Islington BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) Forum held a joint event on Tuesday 26 January. This was the first partnership event that the LINk had been involved in. The aim of the day was to engage local BME community groups in a discussion around barriers to accessing health and social care services for local BME communities. Approximately 15 different local organisations were represented at the event. Concerns were raised around access to GPs and mental health services and difficulties accessing appropriate interpreting services. The need for better partnership working and communication between statutory services and voluntary and community groups was raised as was the need for more advoccay services for BME communities. Islington LINk Big Care Debate WorkshopOn Monday 9th November 2009 the Islington LINk hosted a discussion workshop to discuss the issues in the Government’s new consultation called The Big Care Debate. The consultation asked everyone to provide their views about how they think the Government could develop a care and support system fit for the 21st century. The aim was to develop a national care service that is fair, simple and affordable for everyone. The event was attended by 40 local people. 26 completed consultation documents were returned to the Department of Health and the LINk signed up a few new members too. RNIB (Royal National Institue of the Blind), who spoke on the day, have now finalised their response to the Green Paper. For a copy please click here. Concerns were raised around joining up local and national policy, funding future services and meeting the needs of local people. A report from the event will be available next month. LINk Annual Report 2008 - 2009Click here for Islington LINk’s Annual Report. The report is about what the LINk has been doing and its achievements in 2008 - 2009. This report is also available in other formats such as British Sign Language, audio format and easy read. It will also be available in other languages on request. Click here for the LINk Annual Report in British Sign Language. Click here for the LINK Annual Report in MP3 Audio Format Click here for the LINk Annual Report in Easy Read Format. If you would like hard copies of this report please contact Sophie Hale, LINk Support Officer on 020 7832 5813 or email LINk@vai.org.uk. Alternatively you can write to us at our freepost address (no stamp required): Freepost RRZU-LYAR-UTHR NHS Dental Charges explainedMany people have told the Islington LINk that they are confused about what they should be paying for dentistry on the NHS so we have added some information about it here. The Islington LINk has also been giving out this information to the local community at events. Click here for NHS Dental charges from April 2009 Click here for the current guide to NHS Dental services Join a LINk Working Group - make a difference to your communityThere are several LINk working groups that has been set up to look into local health and social care issues. The following groups are looking for new members to join them:
If you are interested in any of these issues why not get involved and join the relevant working group. Contact the LINk for more details on 020 7832 5813 or LINk@vai.org.uk. Click here to link to the LINk working groups page. Islington LINkThe Islington Local Involvement Network – or LINk – is the new way for local people to have their say about health and social care. The LINk gives local people a voice and a chance to affect how their health and social care services are planned and run. It has powers to get information from and make recommendations to those responsible for local services. The LINk covers the Borough of Islington. It is run by local people and is independent of the council and NHS.
Why Get Involved?
Any member of the local community can join a LINk, whether they are carers, service users, community leaders, charities, faith groups, tenant organisations or youth groups. Everyone's view is welcomed and respected. How Much Time Will it Take?The amount of time it takes depends on how involved you wish to become. For example, you could spend a few minutes completing a survey, or longer discussing health and social care issues with other members of the community, and meeting with health and social care professionals. The Core GroupThe Core Group meets regularly. For details of the next meeting, please click here. For a map please click the link below. How to find us - Map of the LVSC on Holloway Road The HostIslington Voluntary Action Council (IVAC) is the membership organisation for voluntary, community and faith groups in the borough. We support civic engagement and already work with the Islington Community Network to ensure that the views of community groups are represented in the Strategic Partnership and its thematic groups. We are pleased to be working with community groups and service users to develop the LINk in Islington. Click here for more information about IVAC Useful contactsSpecialist Info Wesite - this site contains details of many different support groups and charities for all kinds of health and social care issues and may be helpful for service users and carers. Other local LINksClick here to go to the Camden LINk website. Click here to go to Haringey LINk website. Click here to go to Hackney LINk website. Click here to go to City of London LINk website. To get in contact with other LINk members and some of the other LINks in England, click here to go to Community Voices Online. |
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