Sheffield Local Involvement Network
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Introducing LINks

Local Involvement networks (LINks) were set up by the Government in 2008 as a way of delivering better health and social care services by giving local people and communities a stronger voice.

Each local authority area (with responsibility for social services) now has a LINk and their remit covers most publicly funded health and social care. Sheffield LINk is one of 152 across England. They were established under the auspices of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act (2007) and replace the 'Patient Forums' that previously covered some areas of the health care system.

LINks find out what local people think about their health and social care services. They then make sure the providers of those services take local people's views into account. LINks are completely independent of service providers, whether it's the local NHS trust or the local council.

About Sheffield LINk

Sheffield LINk's role covers the following areas.

  • Promote and support the involvement of people in the commissioning, provision and scrutiny of local health and social care services.
  • Enable people to monitor and review the commissioning and provision of local health and social care services relating to the standard of provision.
  • Obtain the views of people about their needs and experiences of local health and social care services.
  • Make these views known to those responsible for commissioning, providing, managing or scrutinising local care services.

To help us fulfil this role, we have the legal power to:

  • Visit local services to get an idea of how they are being run (through our Authorised Representatives).
  • Ask for information from service providers who must give a response within 20 working days.
  • Make reports and recommendations to service providers.
  • Refer findings and concerns to a watchdog of elected councillors on 'Overview and Scrutiny Committees' that have the power to ensure change is introduced.

For more information about LINks at a national level see www.direct.gov.uk/localinvolvementnetworks

In April 2013, LINk will become HealthWatch, a new organisation that will retain LINk's role with additional responsibilities. See Sheffield CIty Council HealthWatch site for more information.