Kingston’s LINk held their Annual General Meeting on 23rd June at the United Reformed Church in Kingston. The purpose of the meeting was to report back to LINk members and local residents the progress on LINk work over the past year and to allow local people an opportunity to have their say about their concerns over any health and social care issues.

After an unsettled period with the LINk, Kingston Voluntary Action took over the Host responsibility in October 2009. We are now pleased to see a positive working arrangement to support local involvement in health and social care. The commitment and dedication of the new Steering Group and their working sub-groups, set up to look at particular issues or concerns, has become evident over the short period of time since their inception. The LINk staff team are working well with Steering Group members to support them in their work, to raise the profile of the LINk locally and to recruit new members.

However, since the change of government there remains uncertainty about continued funding for LINks. Over recent years the Department of Health has encouraged and supported public engagement and participation in health through a variety of models; from the Community Health Councils, then Patient and Public Involvement in Health Forums to the latest model Local Involvement Networks. Since they came into place in 2008 LINks have a broadened remit to include social care. The coalition government is considering yet another model of involving people so we may need to prepare for change once more so as not to lose the momentum of the current LINk.

You can read Kingston’s LINk Annual Report, find out about their latest news, work plans and find information on how to become a LINk member on their website or telephone the LINk office on 020 8974 6629

Related items: Position Statement on the Local Involvement Network for Kingston, Kingston’s LINk
Kingston's Local Involvement Network - Janaury 2010
Kingston's Local Involvement Network - October 2009