What is a LINk?

What does LINk stand for?

There are LINks – or Local Involvement Networks (LINks) all over the country.

Is Northamptonshire the only LINk?

No, there are LINks all over the country. Each county council received government funding for a LINk. Independent organisations were awarded contracts to manage LINks for their county.

In Northamptonshire, Northampton Volunteering Centre manages the LINk 

Why are LINks in place?

LINks were put in place in April 2008 to replace the Patient and Public Involvement Forums.
Unlike the PPIFs, LINks deal with both health and social care.

What is the structure?

The LINk is run by a management board. The board is supported by a staff team, known as the host organisation.

What do LINks do?

LINks give everybody the chance to have their say on health and social care. 

The LINk’s job is to…

• gather people’s opinions
• prioritise issues 
• put together work plans to ‘investigate’ specific areas 
• take the issues back to NHS and social care departments to instigate change
• must receive a response within 20 days
•  use powers to ensure action where necessary

What sorts of powers do LINks have?

LINks can hold the NHS and social care services accountable. If they do not receive a satisfactory response they can refer to

• Overview and Scrutiny Committee
• Quality Care Commission or
• Department for Health.