You could help shape the way residential and care homes are run in your area.

Local Involvement Networks (LINks) are new groups being set up in Staffordshire.

They will be made up of ordinary members of the public with expert support, and will have legal powers to enter premises where health and social care services are provided.

They are not inspections with the power to order changes, but members will have an opportunity to make suggestions about how services can be improved.

Susan Woodward, Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Older People and Healthier Communities said: "LINks are a new approach to improving our care system, and I would encourage anyone who thinks they can make a contribution to get involved.

"You may have first hand knowledge of the care system. You may have needed care after a long hospital stay, or you may have friends or relatives who have been a care home resident.

"We are currently working with a team of volunteers and Staffordshire University to see how LINks can best operate in the county. It is still not too late for people to make suggestions and put themselves forward.

She added: "Residential care is often paid for from the public purse, whether the establishment is publicly or privately run, so it is right that the public have a chance to shape their services."

There are some exclusions to where members of LINks can go. These include people's own homes if they receive help with their care, resident's rooms in care homes and children's homes.

County Councillor Woodward added: "The main decisions being made at the moment are the priority areas that the LINks should look at once they are up-and-running."

If you want to have a say in how your LINk is developed or want to take part in some way, send your contact details to:

Staffordshire LINk Hosting Service,
Faculty of Health,
Staffordshire University,
Blackheath Lane,
Stafford,
Staffordshire
ST18 0AD

or by email to staffordshireLINk@staffs.ac.uk

Last Modified: 30/09/2008 09:56:48
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