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
6 March 2012
The Department for Communities and Local Government's Troubled Families Unit has signed agreements with every top-tier council that will lead to the appointment of a Troubled Families co-ordinator in each area from April 2012.
In a parliamentary question, picked up on by the North West Tenants and Residents Association, a minister in the department said that: "local authorities' preparations for the Troubled Families programme are under way; every upper tier local authority has accepted an offer of £20,000 preparatory funding in this financial year for the programme.”
This funding will be used to appoint Troubled Families co-ordinators who will have a strategic role in local authorities to plan, develop and co-ordinate services for troubled families and lever in resources from partners locally. This will link in with the roll-out of the 'Families with multiple problems' Community Budgets.
Key links
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
