85. Evidence submitted by the Royal Brompton
PPI Forum (PPI 59)
The joint forum members for the Royal Brompton
PPI Forum wish to make known that they consider the following
points of paramount importance to the setting up of the LINks
project:
— LINks must maintain independence
and allow for participation at different levels.
— LINks to retain right of inspection.
— LINks to have the ability to listen
to the local community for comments on services.
— LINks must ensure programme has close
links with Trusts, social services.
— A national body is needed to oversee
all LINks and share best practice. Also to provide a centre for
local LINks to feedback information on topics that could be of
national interest and to give greater credibility and unity. It
was suggested that this could be the Healthcare Commission (HCC).
— Resources; need to be ring-fenced
and need to include enough for two staff and an office and a discretionary
budget for research and projects. It was suggested that budgets
should be on a five year basis and should total around £200,000
per year per borough.
— Every Local Health Authority to be
required to have an Overview and Scrutiny Committee dedicated
to Health and Social care and which includes professionals with
the relevant knowledge to make a meaningful contribution.
— Members need to get involved in local
services and committees allowing for there to be special focus
groups for the Acute Trusts or Mental Health issues.
— Groups need sufficient time to disseminate
information to members and feed back to Health Select Committee.
— Local interest groups that are getting
involved in LINks should be required to declare any interests
in Local Government contracts.
— Participation should be diverse and
include a range of different communities.
— Proper arrangements should be made
for incorporating forums into the work of Links and there should
be some mechanism for work to continue within Links with specific
NHS Trusts.
Royal Brompton PPI Forum
January 2007
|
