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
14 August 2012
The Home Office has published a leaflet explaining the changes to disclosure and barring and how the legislative and organisational changes will impact on stakeholders and employers. The key changes will come into force in September 2012.
The leaflet is available to download from: Click Here
Survey
Please contribute by completing a ten minute survey. The results will give the Home Office invaluable understanding of how disclosure and barring impacts on you and your organisation and how they can best communicate with you in the future. They will publish the results on the Home Office website at the end of August.
You can complete the survey at: Click Here
The survey is anonymous and the Home Office will only keep the overall results, rather than individuals’ responses.
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
