Local Involvement Networks
How you can get involved in local health and social care services
Local Involvement Networks (LINks) are the new way to give local people a say in their health and social care services. LINks will be made up of local individuals, organisations and groups that want to help make local health and social care services better.
Under recent Government legislation, LINks are being set up to give people more influence over health and social care services in their community. LINks are replacing Patient and Public Involvement Forums but building on the work they achieved.
LINks will provide opportunities for people to have their say on how health and social care services are planned and run.
We are in the process of tendering for an organisation to host and administrate a Barnet LINk. Until that organisation is appointed, we are working with local health services and the community to encourage people to become involved in LINk activities.
LINks will have the power to make reports and recommendations to health and social care services and will receive a reply in a set period of time. They will also be able to go into most premises concerned with providing health and care services to see what they do. If LINks are unhappy with any responses they are given, they will be able to inform the council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee of their findings.
On the 8th July 2008, local residents and organisations including the Council, Healthcare Trusts and the voluntary sector came together to discuss LINks. The Local Involvement Networks in Barnet conference report 
(PDF: 198KB) highlights the findings of the meeting
If you want to join or find out more information about LINks in Barnet:
- Tel: 020 8359 7029 or
- Email: LINKS@barnet.gov.uk
