Gateshead LINk

 In the White Paper ‘Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS’ (July 2010), the government stated their aim to "strengthen the collective voice of patients and the public". One way in which they are doing this is by the creation of local HealthWatch to replace LINKs.

Gateshead LINk is currently in transition and working towards the establishment of Local HealthWatch in October 2012.

Local HealthWatch will be a new independent consumer champion whose job will be to gather and represent the views of the public. Some of the things that HealthWatch does will be the same as the LINk, including:

promoting involvement

obtaining views

monitoring health and care services

making reports and recommendations

carrying out Enter & View visits

There will be some new and different responsibilities for Local HealthWatch which will include:

providing information to support patient choice

serving as a representative on Local Health & Wellbeing boards

providing members of the public with access to NHS complaints advocacy (from 2013)

In July, Gateshead was awarded the status of HealthWatch Pathfinder, this means the LINk will work on:..

"building on a community development approach to engagement and relationships with the voluntary sector, this will empower people and their communities to have effective relationships with public bodies"

Watch this space for more News on how Gateshead LINk will transform into your local HealthWatch or visit our website

Our website address is www.gatesheadlink.org.uk and e-mail address gatesheadlink@gvoc.org.uk