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LINk CAMPAIGNS Minimise

 Patients at the heart and GPs at the head: A different kind of NHS?

 
 
In our last issue we informed members of the details of the Governments White Paper on health: ‘Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS’. (For a summary of the last issue see http://www.talk2croydon.co.uk/news/croydon-link-newsletter-september-issue)
 
We asked LINk members to contact us with their views on the white paper and the implications for Croydon. Since then Croydon LINk has been busy articulating your responses to the paper. We have submitted our formal response to the Department of Health consultation and in October held an open event for members. Read below to find out more:
 
Croydon LINk responds to Health White Paper: Equity and Excellence, Liberating the NHS.
Croydon LINk responded to the NHS Consultation on the White Paper. A public meeting was held where members of the LINk put together a formal response. Key Issues raised in the response were:
 
The Role of Choice
There was scepticism amongst members about the role of increased choice and questions whether in reality this would translate to real choice for patients on the ground. Though the NHS constitution talks of public choice, members felt this was largely theoretical and dependent on the ability to articulate ones demands and knowledge of the system which vulnerable groups did not possess.
 
The emphasis on the key role of choice as a reason for the changes was felt to be misplaced; rather patients are more likely to be concerned with quality of care from their local provider.
 
Removal of Targets
Members was concerned that removing targets would lead to increased waiting times and push people into paying for private treatment if they were concerned about their health, especially in the diagnosis of life threatening diseases such as cancer.
 
GP Commissioning
There was a concern that there maybe a lack of skills amongst GPs to carry out a commissioning role. There was also concern that the model was going down the American system of driving efficiency and profit at the expense of quality of care.
 
Health & Wellbeing Board
It was felt that it was important that LINks' have a key role on the proposed Health and Wellbeing Board.
 
Complaints and Advocacy
A lot more specialisation and training is needed to take on complaints advocacy. The risks of taking on an advocacy role were identified as the new Health Watch opening itself up to legal action if not properly supported with specialist training
 
HealthWatch England
The creation of a national body to support local Health Watch was seen as a positive step which would improve the support that local organisations could rely on. For a full version of the response please go to (http://www.talk2croydon.co.uk/files/Croydon_LINk_response_to_Health_White_Paper.doc)
 
HealthWatch ICAS Factsheet
Please click on the link below to access the HealthWatch Factsheet.
 

 

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Enter and View Minimise

What is an Enter and View Representative for Croydon LINk?

 
A group of members of the Croydon LINk became Authorised LINk Enter & View Representative. This means they were trained to enter certain health and social care premises, such as hospitals, care homes and doctors surgeries.
 
The aim of these visits are to view the care provided, and report on the findings (both good and areas for improvement) to the service providers and commissioners of services.
 
The Enter and View programme is an important part of the LINk activity and the LINk has powers under the “Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007” which enables them to carry out this role.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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