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
29 August 2012
The partners in the Manchester programme are
The partners meet on a monthly basis to progress, monitor and develop activities as agreed in the Business Plan and they recognise that the partnership needs time to evolve during the life of the project and beyond. Macc acts as lead agency for the partnership, holding the funds and ensuring reporting to Big Fund. In consultation with partners, they have taken the view that for the partnership to develop further, external support and challenge from an Independent Chair will provide fresh thinking and a new impetus.
The Independent Chair must be objective and provide independent scrutiny. They must be guided by the value and importance of the principles of public service, such as selflessness, integrity, objectivity, honesty and openness. We are seeking to engage someone for the role on a self-employed basis or via consultancy from another organisation. This is not an employment opportunity.
The role is likely to involve an average commitment of 5½ days per month. It will involve some travel within the city of Manchester area. The fee for this work is £16,000 (plus reasonable travel expenses) and anticipates that this will equate to approximately 65 days’ work between 1st October 2012 and 30th September 2013. If you are interested in providing a proposal for this work, please submit this in writing (email is acceptable) not later than 4:00 pm on Monday 10th September. For further details and how to apply, visit the Manchester Community Central website.
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
