Introduction:

Hartlepool LINk is a network of local people and organisations, funded by Government and supported by Hartlepool Voluntary Development Agency (the independent host organisation) to promote and support the involvement of people in commissioning, provision and scrutiny of local health and social care services. Every LINk in the country has the same powers and responsibilities but it is the individual LINk that decides what will work best in their area.


The role of Hartlepool LINk is to:

  • Give everyone the opportunity to say what they think about their local health and social care services in terms of what is working well and what is not so good.
  • Give people an opportunity to monitor and review how services are both planned and delivered.
  • Provide feedback on what people have said about services, so that improvements can be made. 


The Way Forward:

Hartlepool LINk has a range of methods available to enable them to say how local services could improve:

  • Make reports and recommendations to commissioners and receive a reply within a set period of time.
  • Ask commissioners for imformation and receive a reply within a set period of time.
  • Enter certain Health and Social Care premises to observe the nature and quality of services.
  • Refer issues to Overview and Scrutiny committees and receive a response.


Work with Commissioners:

Hartlepool LINk has been created through the introduction of legislation (Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007). It has powers to hold Health and Social Care service providers to account. The same legislation puts a greater obligation on providers and commissioners to consult with the public about services. It is envisaged that the LINk will be looked upon as one of the main ways of ensuring people are involved in making decisions about services. Hartlepool LINk will provide commissioners with a first point of contact for involvement and engagement. The LINk will be a pool of local knowledge, service users and expertise, which will assist commissioners assess the needs of local populations. Involving the public through consultation with Hartlepool LINk will help commissioners take decisions that best reflect the public’s need.


Enter and View:

To enable Hartlepool LINk to gather information they need about services, there will be times when it will be appropriate for them to see and hear, for themselves, how services are provided. The Government has introduced duties on certain commissioners and Health & Social Care services to allow authorised representatives of Hartlepool LINk to enter premises that providers own or control, to observe the nature and quality of services.


Participation:

Hartlepool LINk is made up of participants who are individuals, groups and organisations all of which have an interest in local Health and Social Care services. All participants are volunteers. Hartlepool LINk has been established in a way that is inclusive and enables involvement from all areas of the local community. We wish to involve those who are seldom heard. 


Please complete the the on-line particpation application form should you wish to become actively involved in Hartlepool LINk. Completion of this publication will ensure you are informed and/or involved in future LINK activities.