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
12 July 2012
The group will be taking part in 'Race Equality Question Time' at Liverpool's iconic International Slavery Museum. The politicians taking part include Race Equality Minister and Liberal Democrat MP Andrew Stunell, local Labour MP and shadow education spokesperson Stephen Twigg, and Wirral West Conservative MP Esther McVey. They will be joined on the panel by local community activists.
The event will take the format of BBC's Question Time but with all questions focused on the theme of race equality in the North West. It is organised by One North West and the Runnymede Trust, a research organisation which also runs the All Party Parliamentary Group on Race and Community.
Dan Silver from One West said 'Liverpool is home to many leading race equality organisations and the city is an excellent place to host this debate on how we can move forward in these challenging times'.
Places are still available to be part of the audience for this event - further details can be found on the Events page
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
