Local Involvement Networks (LINks)

The new way for local people to have their say in how local health and social care services are planned and run.

What is a LINk?

Local Involvement Networks (LINks) are networks of local people and organisations who support and promote the involvement of patients, service users, the public, and voluntary and community groups in the commissioning, provision and scrutiny of their local health and social care services. Links are independent of all statutory services and will help people to say what they think about local health and social care provision. There is one LINk for Gloucestershire.

The Involvement of Gloucestershire County Council

All local authorities are responsible for contracting a Host organisation/s to support the LINk in their area. In May 2008, Gloucestershire County Council awarded the Host contract to the Gloucestershire Rural Community Council.

Gloucestershire Adult Social Care services may be scrutinised by the LINk.

If you are a council employee and are interested how the LINk is relevant to your service please read Listening and Responding to Communities: a brief guide to Local Involvement Networks [Opens in New Window] or contact Fiona Jones on 01452 425125.

The Gloucestershire Rural Community Council, as the host organisation, are helping to establish and support the LINk in Gloucestershire. They have a separate, dedicated LINk website [Opens in New Window] that includes information on:

• how to join the LINk;
• latest local and national news;
• minutes of LINk interim steering group meetings;
• and local events in your area.

Please visit this LINk website [Opens in New Window], or, phone Pamela Dewick on 01452 528491 for up-to-date news on what the Gloucestershire LINk is doing and to see how you can be involved.

For national news and guidance on LINks contact the NHS Centre for Involement [Opens in New Window]

	Getting Ready for LINks On this 'Getting Ready for LINks' page you can find out what has been done locally to prepare for LINks. You can find out about meetings held and relevant reports
	Useful information about LINks On this Useful Information page you can find links to Department of Health documents, legislation relating to LINks and reports from other authorities.