Sheffield Local Involvement Network

Sheffield LINk is our Local Involvement Network - a way for those who live in Sheffield, or use our health and social care services, to have their say and influence those services. The LINk finds out what people think about local services, monitors the care given, and makes sure that service providers take people's views into account.

More information about Sheffield LINk.

Anyone who lives in Sheffield can get involved, as well as anyone who lives outside the City who uses any of its health or social care services. Sheffield LINk welcomes any individual, whether they just represent themselves or represent a larger group. Anyone can get involved, for example voluntary organisations, patient groups, carer networks, youth councils, schools - and so on.

You might want to get involved because you or a loved one are affected by health and social care services right now, or because you want to influence the way things are done for the future.

Funding for Sheffield LINk comes from central government to our local authority, Sheffield City Council. From there it is given to our Host organisation, Voluntary Action Sheffield (VAS). The host is responsible for setting up and providing ongoing support for Sheffield LINk and holds our budget.

Being part of VAS gives us good connections with local voluntary, community and faith groups. It also has the infrastructure to support this project and ensure it runs effectively. Although Sheffield LINk is funded by the government and supported by VAS, it is run as a completely independent organisation.

The work of Sheffield LINk - from deciding what to focus on, through to making recommendations to local health and social care service providers - is done by its members and voluntary Governing Board. A small central support team provides general support and looks after day-to-day administration, membership, communication, events and publicity.

Link to Sheffield LINk Governing Board

We are open to and will welcome anyone who lives in Sheffield or uses local services. However, we're particularly keen to hear from people whose voices have not been heard in the past or whose needs are often overlooked. For example, we want to hear from people from all ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, people who don't have English as a first language, refugees, those with learning or physical difficulties and their carers. And we want to talk to people with specific health issues e.g. Cancer or Alzheimer's.

This isn't about providing a platform for people who are used to standing up and talking in public - although we can still help them. It's about making sure no one's views are ignored and helping people who have often been overlooked to change their lives for the better.

LINks can get involved in all areas of health and social care services in the area they cover that are paid for wholly or partially with public money. Health covers everything to do with the local hospitals, GP practices, maternity services, as well as pharmacies, dentists and opticians. Social care services include services such as care homes, day centres, respite care and services for people with physical or learning difficulties.

More information on the local health and social care service providers

Sheffield LINk has looked into a number of issues through its Action Groups that focus on issues our members tell us are important. These including getting to see your GP, equipment and adaptations to assist day-to-day living at home, and infection control in health and social care premises. Our current action groups are looking into the role of unscheduled care services in Sheffield and the quality of care in Sheffield Care Homes. We have used our legal powers to undertake a number of enter and view visits to look at specific services being provided, have requested information from providers on their services and have made recommendations. Our latest annual report includes a lot of detail on the work we've undertaken. We've held a number of successful events too.

There's a lot more to do, which is why we need people like you.

Sheffield LINk has powers that will help it make a real difference to the way health and social care services are planned and delivered. Gathering local views and ideas is at the heart of the LINk, but it is much more than just a 'talking shop'. We make sure that your views and ideas are listened to by those in a position to make changes.

All the LINks are set up under the 'Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act (2007)', which means they have legal powers. For example, Sheffield LINk can:

• request information from health and social care providers, and that information must be given within set timescales.
• send 'Authorised Representatives' of the LINk to enter some health and social care premises to see how services are being carried out.
• refer concerns and make recommendations to a watchdog called the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which can then take further actions and must keep Sheffield LINk informed.

The LINk's own powers, and its connections with other organisations, mean it can be truly effective - making sure that its members' views really do make a difference.

Sheffield LINk replaces the government-funded Patient and Public Involvement Forums that you may have heard about in the past, but nothing else changes. Local groups such as support groups, carer networks and the youth council continue as usual - and we hope they will link in with us so we can help them make their voices heard. We are already working with existing groups and community networks and our intention is to strengthen this.

No, LINks are distinctly different because for the first time their remit covers both health and social care services in an entire local authority area. The legislation that created LINks also abolished PPI Forums across England on 31st March 2008

No, all LINks are created by a law passed by Parliament - the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 - which sets out their legal duties and powers. In adivition, Government has issued Regulations and Directions describing the detail of LINk activities which have the force of law and must be complied with. This gives the LINk considerable authority to work directly with the NHS and Local Authority on behalf of the local community.

No. We want to hear about any aspect of health and/or social care that is causing you problems or affecting your quality of life. This might be about the trouble you have picking up prescriptions or difficulty understanding notices and leaflets at the hospital, for example. You might have an elderly relative who has waited for months to have his toenails cut or services might not take your cultural and religious needs into account. Whatever your issue, if you think other people are having the same problem, please let Sheffield LINk know and we may be able to help.

You can be involved as little or as much as you want. For example, you might choose simply to be on our mailing list so you stay up-to-date with what we're doing, the areas we're focusing on, and what events and surveys we have coming up. Or you might choose to share your views just on the issues that interest you most.

At the other end of the scale, you might want to get involved in setting activities for Sheffield LINk - for example, you could propose a subject for or join an Action Group on a health and social care issue that interests you.

Being part of Sheffield LINk is very flexible, free of charge, and it is completely up to you how much time and involvement you want to give. Keep an eye on the regular updates we send you, and choose if and when you want to get more involved. Click here to join Sheffield LINk

You can look elsewhere on this website, especially to activities and news and events. If you become a member you will receive up-to-date information on upcoming events, surveys and other activities in our regular monthly Bulletin. This will be either posted or emailed to you depending on the method you chose when you completed your membership form. Otherwise, you can always download our bulletins from the website.

You can raise a concern, give feedback or make a comment using our online form, Have Your Say.

No. There is no membership fee, and no 'selection' criteria. Sheffield LINk will help pay for travel or other expenses when you are involved with our activities, to make sure you are not out of pocket.

Sheffield LINk is committed to making its materials available to whoever wants it. We can produce materials in large pint, other languages, Braille etc if you need it. Just contact the support team and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Our website has the highest standards of accessibility built into it. This allows for larger text, different colour combinations and can be used with a screen reader.

We will only use your contact details to send you information about our activities and specific services that might interest you. Personal details such as age and ethnic background are only collected so we can see how Sheffield LINK is made up. In keeping with the Data Protection Act (1998), we will keep your personal details private.

If you have more questions about Sheffield LINk, please contact us. We're always pleased to hear from you!