Following the consultation event held on 26th January 2010, the feedback from group discussions on the day and views put forward in the market place activities have been typed up and can be downloaded here.
You may be aware that the CQC is currently running a consultation that looks at their proposals for assessing quality in 2010-11 and beyond. The Care Quality Commission will use many methods and tools to achieve its aim of ‘making care better for people’, including carrying out a programme of assessments of quality.
Their assessments of quality include their powers under the Health and Social Care Act to carry out periodic reviews, special reviews and studies and to publish information and reports about our findings.
For both commissioners and providers they will provide publicly available information for individuals using or choosing care services and for organisations delivering or commissioning those services.
This consultation details how they propose to assess the quality of:
It also outlines plans for how we will report our findings and the special reviews we propose to carry out in 2010/11. For more information about this consultation please follow the link below:
http://www.cqc.org.uk/getinvolved/consultations/assessmentsofquality.cfm
A work programme for the Support Team is now available to view on the Staffordshire LINk website and will be regularly updated. If you would like to view the Progress Plan and timeline document, please click here.
A national PR campaign for LINks was launched on 26th January 2010. If you would like to know more about the promotional activities being done, information is available in an update attached here.
We would very much like to receive feedback from anyone who attended the Consultation event yesterday so that we can take your views in to consideration when planning future events. Paper copies are being sent out to everyone who attended but if you would prefer to give your feedback by email, the evaluation form can be downloaded here evaluation-form. We have also updated the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) sheet with responses to some questions raised at the event and this can be downloaded here.
Following the well attended consultation event at Yarnfield Park Conference Centre on 26th January 2010, we are now undertaking a wider consultation for those who were unable to attend. This process will continue until end of February 2010 and we are keen to hear opinions from as many groups, organisations and individuals as possible. The consultation papers can be downloaded from the website under the resources section. If you require paper copies of the documents, please contact the Support Team office on 01785 887990 to request them. Your opinions and comments on the proposals can be submitted either on the website by clicking the comments box below or by email to us at enquiries@staffordshirelink.staffs.com
Questions were raised at the consultation event regarding how much the event had cost and what actions would be taken by the Support Team in the interim period pending the appointment of a new host organisation. Answers to these and any further questions, will be added to the frequently asked questions sheet on the website. Please check the website regularly as all future updates,progress reports and bulletins will be published on this website.
Representatives of community groups, voluntary sector organisations and people of all ages and backgrounds are invited to attend a consultation event on Tuesday 26th January 2010 to bring fresh ideas and renewed interest in Staffordshire LINk to help shape how local care and health services are being delivered in Staffordshire.
The event will give people an opportunity to find out how they can get involved and discuss proposals for the best way forward in helping to build a stronger, more successful LINk. The consultation event is being held at Yarnfield Park Conference Centre, near Stone; (directions can be found here and map can be downloaded here). Registration and refreshments are available from 9.30am and the event will start at 10.00am and conclude at 4.30pm.
If you would like to attend, please contact the LINk support team either by telephone on 01785 887990 or email us at enquiries@staffordshirelink.staffs.com to book a place.
Further information regarding the event will be published on the week commencing Monday 18th January 2010.
The Staffordshire LINk Support Team Office will be closed from 12noon on Wednesday 23rd December 2009 and will re-open on Monday 4th January 2010. An answerphone for messages is available on 01785 887990 and calls will be returned on the 4th January 2010.
Tough but fair public challenge to the way Health and Social Care Services are provided in Staffordshire is essential to achieving better outcomes for local people.
The Local Involvement Network (LINk) for Staffordshire was established to do just that. Following a decline in public confidence and because outcomes envisaged have not been achieved, the County Council has now assumed the responsibility for LINk from external providers.
A meeting for existing members of LINk has explained the reasons behind the decision and a further meeting which is open to anybody in Staffordshire will take place on 26th January at Yarnfield Conference Centre, Nr Stone. The venue will accommodate up to 250 people and the event, held between 10am and 4.30pm will discuss proposals for the best way forward for a strong and successful LINk.
Matthew Ellis, Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing believes that strong and independent scrutiny is crucial:
“In future, I believe that LINk must collaborate more closely with other local organisations charged with examining and shaping different aspects of Health and Social Care Services,” says Matthew. “There should be greater linkage with Staffordshire’s statutory Health Scrutiny Committee and a focus on using the strengths, powers and expertise each organisation has more effectively”.
Once a new LINk is established, the intention is to seek an appropriate provider to contract its ongoing operation.
Staffordshire County Council have recently written to members of Staffordshire LINk advising them of changes in respect of the host organisation and notifying them of a meeting being held on 10th December 2o09 at the County showground, Stafford. For more information, please click here. A list of FAQs (frequently asked questions) has also been produced and this can be accessed by clicking here.
