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
18 September 2012
Merseyside Disability Federation (MDF), on behalf of the North West Disability Partnership, sent out a survey in November 2011 to explore people's experience of personalisation and personal budgets. MDF received more than 90 responses and a copy of the research findings is available on the MDF website.
They are now looking to carry out a follow-up piece of research to see if the picture has changed, especially given the work local authorities have undertaken on personal budgets.
MDF want to hear your views and experiences of personalisation. Is it working for you/your service users? How could things work better? This is an opportunity to influence policy development and local implementation in a changing world. The results will be presented at a conference on 16th October at Aintree Racecourse to an audience of providers, voluntary and statutory sector and health organisations. They will also publish a summary of the results on the MDF website.
It is a short 10 minute survey and the deadline for completion is Monday 8th October 2012.
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
