Local Involvement Networks (LINks)

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HealthWatch / Local Involvement Networks (LINks)

HealthWatch Kingston is a network of local people with voluntary and community groups, who work together to ensure health and social care services based in and around Kingston are meeting the needs of those who use them.

HealthWatch Kingston is one of 75 local LINks (Local Involvement Networks) that successfully became a HealthWatch Pathfinder in 2011 in preparation for the changes proposed in the Health and Social Care Bill which has recently passed through the House of Lords.

The purpose of HealthWatch is to involve local people in the decisions being made about these services above and to encourage them to share their views and possible concerns. This covers NHS healthcare services such as local hospitals, GP surgeries, pharmacies, dentists, opticians and clinics, as well as social care provision offered by the Council, residential and care homes.

Funding comes from the Department of Health, but HealthWatch Kingston is independent from the Local Authority and the NHS.  It is led by a steering group made up of local people who work on a voluntary basis and who set the direction of the organisation.  They are supported by a small team of staff.

HealthWatch Kingston can:

•Monitor health and social care services

•Carry out ‘Enter and View’ visits in hospitals, care homes and nursing homes

•Collect evidence from local people and investigate this

•Represent local people on bodies such as Kingston Interim Health and Well-being Board, Kingston Hospital Patient Experience Committee, South West London Patient and Public Advisory Group and many others

•Be involved in local initiatives such as Kingston at Home

•Provide information sessions about health and social care issues and services

HealthWatch Kingston is hosted by Kingston Voluntary Action (KVA), which provides support to local voluntary and community organisations and groups.

Membership of HealthWatch Kingston is free and open to all residents, local user groups, voluntary and community organisations with an interest in health and social care. If you would like to join, please see the website below, call them on 020 8974 6629, or email enquiries@kingstonslink.org.uk  

You can also write to HealthWatch Kingston at

Siddeley House

50 Canbury Park Road

Kingston-upon-Thames

Surrey

KT2 6LX

Further Information

For further information about LINks please see related documents at the bottom of this page.