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What is a LINk?

LINks are made up of individuals and community groups who work together to improve local services. The job of a LINk is to find out what people like and dislike about local services and work with the people who plan and run them to help make them better.  This may involve talking directly to health care professionals about a service that is not being offered or suggesting ways that an existing service could be made better.

LINks also have powers to help with their job and to make sure changes happen.

What a LINk will do

A LINk will:

• ask local people what they think of local health and social care and suggest improvements directly to the service providers
• look into specific issues (like a dirty hospital), make recommendations and get a response
• ask for information and get answers in a specified amount of time
• be able to carry out spot checks to see if services are working well (checks are carried under safeguards)
• refer issues to the local ‘Overview and Scrutiny Committee’ if it seems action is not being taken

An example

A number of people raise the issue of GP opening hours with a LINk. GPs at the local surgery say they want to open during the evening and at weekends but they have limited resources.

The LINk offers to help the surgery staff find out the hours that will best suit local people by asking the community for their views. It also asks LINks in other areas how they have dealt with the same issue.

The LINk’s research finds that those who work would prefer more early morning appointments, so they can see a GP but not be late for work.

As a result, the GPs decide the surgery will close one afternoon a week so that they can open for more early morning appointments. They also start a call-back service, so people can have quick telephone consultations.

Why get involved?

There are a number of benefits to becoming involved in a LINk, which include:

• getting attention for neglected issues or ideas
• influencing those who make decisions about new or existing services
• helping the community speak with a stronger local voice
• helping services provide better care

Be part of a LINk

It’s up to you how and when you get involved - you can just comment on issues when contacted or you can get more involved – by helping to raise awareness of an issue or by helping to find solutions (for example - meeting providers or being part of a working group).

Who can join?

Anyone: carers, service users, community leaders, patient representatives… everyone's views matter. Groups can also join: charities, faith groups, tenant organisations, youth councils, BME organisations and business federations…anyone who wants to make sure the needs of their community are listened to.

How much time will it take?

There are many ways you can get involved. You can take a few minutes to answer a survey or take longer to represent the community when a health or social care service is being discussed with service providers.

How a LINk is run

There is no set structure for a LINk and it is unlikely any two LINks will be run in the same way. A LINk will only work if it is owned by, and involves, the whole community.

Local councils have been given money to fund LINks but each LINk will decide how best to operate and what priorities to concentrate on. Most LINks should be up and running by September 2008.

Getting started

To find out what is happening in your area, contact the department of your local council that has social services responsibility.

• A to Z of local councils

Alternatively, you can download a list of public contacts for LINks

• Local Authority LINk contacts (PDF, 160K) (opens new window)
• Help with PDF files

More useful links

• Patient Citizen Exchange (opens new window)