Sheffield Local Involvement Network

Our event discussing the NHS White Paper on 24 August was a great success.

Helen, Malcolm and Mike take a look at the White Paper

Helen Stevens, Assistant Director of Communications and Engagement at NHS Sheffield, (see left) started the proceedings by outlining the White Paper - Equity and Excellence:Liberating the NHS. It was very informative and those present were clear about how big these changes are and also how much detail is still to be decided.

Those present then split into groups to discuss an aspect of the White Paper and although people could have talked for far longer, some excellent points were made and people did have a chance to have their say. There was a lot of concern about what the changes would really mean for people and services. The meeting was also unanimous in its concern that GPs might use private companies to commission, or buy-in, healthcare services and that this would mean taxpayers money going to these private companies.

For the second half of the event, we looked at the proposals to change LINks into HealthWatch. Malcolm Alexander, Chair of National Association of LINk Members (NALM), spoke about how this was a great opportunity for LINks to add advising people and providing advocacy for complaints to its remit. However, he warned about how the local authorities would be funding this - as well as being a care provider that HealthWatch may need to scrutinise - and how this sets up real complications. Again, there were lively table discussions and the meeting closed with people being very positive about it.

The feedback both from table discussions and from individual feedback forms is being collated and will be used to create Sheffield LINk's response to the White Paper. The NHS White Paper Consultation is open until October 11.

Speaking after the event, Mike Smith, Chair of Sheffield LINk, (shown right in top photograph) was "delighted witht he stimulating discussions and positive atmosphere. We wanted to give people a chance to find out more and to have their say and, while we could have carried on for hours longer, I feel we achieved that".