Government unveils plans for improved patient involvement
pharmafile | December 14, 2006 | News story | |Â Â Â
The views of patients in local healthcare decision making is to be further enhanced by the creation of Local Involvement Networks, which will replace existing patient forums.
Health minister Rosie Winterton said the new networks (LINks) would differ from forums by covering a geographical area rather than relating to a specific healthcare organisation, covering both health and social care and working more closely with the voluntary sector.
Following advice from current patient forum members, LINks will also be given the power to inspect premises.
The changes come as a result of feedback from the government's Stronger Local Voice consultation, which took place as part of the White Paper published at the end of January 2006, Our Health, Our Care, Our Say.
Rosie Winterton said: "One issue of particular concern has been whether LINks should have access to NHS premises. We have given the networks this power to ensure they can effectively scrutinize services and properly promote people's views."
It is proposed that each network will have a team of specialists who will undertake training and checks to allow them to carry out these inspections.
Harry Cayton, the DoH's national director for patients and the public, explained: "We recognise the huge amount of time, skill and energy that people involved in patient forums, patient participation groups and other networks have put into influencing and improving their local services.
"Now we want to go further for all patients and to reach out to those people whose needs are the greatest; to people who do not normally get involved and to those who find it hard to give their views."
Around 500 people responded to the Stronger Local Voice review, which was chaired by Harry Cayton along with Ed Mayo, chief executive of the National Consumer Council.
