The Northumberland LINk (Local Involvement Network) will be part of a government funded programme to give people the chance to have more of a say about local health and social services. There will be a LINk in every Local Authority area that has social services responsibility.

They will replace Public Patient Involvement Forums, which will cease to exist at the end of April 2008.

Northumberland County Council and Northumberland Care Trust held a special event at Kirkley Hall focusing on getting ready for the LINk in Northumberland.

Individuals and representatives from voluntary sector organisations across the county discussed health and social care issues and made plans for creating a LINk that will give a stronger voice to local communities.

John Dowswell, operations manager at the Northumberland Care Trust, explains: "The Northumberland LINk will be a network of local people, organisations and groups that want to be involved in how health and social care services are planned and better run in Northumberland.

"It will ensure that views are heard and give people the opportunity to check how care services are working. At this stage we are keen to hear from people who would like to be involved in the LINk Steering Group which will make the initial decisions about how the LINk will work in Northumberland.

"As a result of the event at Kirkley Hall over twenty people have already come forward.

"It was great to see that people at the event were so positive about being involved in the Northumberland LINk and are committed to improving health and social care services in our county."

If you would like to know more about the network, John Dowswell can be contacted on (01670) 394493 or by email at john.dowswell@northumberlandcaretrust.nhs.uk