Building the National Association!
700 people who are currently in LINks, part of transitional arrangements or intend going into LINks have joined the newly established National Association of LINks’ Members which formed on April 1st – the day that LINks started.
Harnessing the expertise and knowledge of people who were in Patients’ Forum and have the skills and knowledge to monitor their local NHS and social care services is essential if we are to build a powerful and influential new movement of independent LINks members. NALM believes there are 4 high priorities:
Creating effective local LINks which are more powerful than Forums by encouraging local health activists to work together;- Actively seeking the involvement of all local people who are not currently involved, yet have an interest in improving health and social care
- Lobbying for adequate funding of LINKs to support outreach and community development activities
- Building a regional and national infrastructure, fully-funded, to monitor and develop specialist, mental health, ambulance and paediatric services.
There are opportunities for people who are experienced, trained and able to identify problems in the delivery of health and social care to work with those active in voluntary sector organisations, which specialise in particular health conditions. We believe the key is to be persistent in working to achieve improvements and diligent in ensuring that the voices of all local patients and users are heard loud and clear in the NHS and in social care.
On April 1st we began building a national, user-led, democratic organisation of LINks members and supporting and advising members during the transition to LINKs. We are committed to highly effective, inclusive local community involvement and accountability in health and social care services. We hope that a significant number of the 5000 trained and experienced volunteers who have been members of Forums will help to develop local leadership able to influence local authorities and the NHS.
Action NOW! Get involved in the selection of the Host in your area and make sure that a competent host is selected, and that the new LINks have the resources and support they need to be effective
The above was published in the NALM Newsletter of 24th April 2008. The National Association had been building throughout the preceding year, having recognised the need for a grass roots representative body via the difficulties experienced with the former PPI system of governance.
For up to date information go to the NALM website