From April 2013 local Healthwatch replaced the Local Involvement Networks (LINks) as the "consumer voice" in health and social care. It is important that local Healthwatch learns from the experience of the LINks to ensure they become the best they can be, and to prevent "reinventing the wheel". The results of a project to capture this learning are now available
Voluntary Sector North West
St. Thomas Centre
Below you can find details of the inputs, outputs and responses to the successful conference on Big Society and the Environment organised by NWEL in October 2010:
► Minister's response to Big Society and Environment Conference Report. A detailed response to our Report from Richard Benyon MP, Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries.
► Big Society and the Environment Conference Report. The full report of our October 2010 conference, including key recommendations for national and local Government and civil society groups on how they can help realise the potential of the Big Society to protect and enhance our environment and fight climate change.
► Big Society and Environment Conference - raw data. Workshop notes 1, Workshop notes 2, Workshop notes 3, Ketso draft analysis. Draft Conference Report based on this data has been circulated to participants for comment & ground-truthing.
► "Big Society" and the Environment Conference, 27th October
Regional Voices, of which VSNW is a partner, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded funding from the Department of Health (Innovation, Excellence and Strategic Development Fund) to support voluntary and community sector influence on health and wellbeing boards
The Department for Business Innovation & Skills has published the findings of a research study on European Social Fund delivery with the aim of informing thinking around the next round of programmes
Healthwatch England was formed in April 2013 and is the independent consumer champion for health and social care in England. They have now published a list of local Healthwatch, including those for the North West
The Local Government Chronicle held a webinar to explore the essential elements to ensure local healthwatch organisations are effective in scrutinising local health services and provide a voice for communities. Regional Voices, of which VSNW are a part, are mentioned.
An analysis has been published by NAVCA of the 74 areas that received Transforming Local Infrastructure and provides a national perspective, and allows the sharing of information and ideas
