Network will address health concerns

PEOPLE who are interested in health and social care are being encouraged to get involved with a network which will give them a say on how services are run.

PEOPLE who are interested in health and social care are being encouraged to get involved with a network which will give them a say on how services are run.

Around 500 people in Suffolk have already registered to be part of the county's Local Involvement Network (LINk)

Michelle Carr, the Suffolk LINk development co-ordinator, said: “The biggest issues people have that have come out so far are about communication and care in the community, but what people want to address keeps changing.

“LINks should be inclusive because you don't need to give a set number of hours, you can just get involved with what you're interested in and drop in and drop out and hopefully lots of people will get involved.”

She said meetings that had been held around Suffolk showed people were concerned about access to information and advice, elderly people being able to receive daily physiotherapy, the need for better access to mental health services for young people, long waiting lists for chiropody, the need for more day and respite care and the need for more joined up working between the NHS and social services.

The LINk group will replace the old patient and public involvement forums which disbanded in March.

For more information or to get involved call Michelle Carr on 01473 260781 or e-mail michelle.carr@acs.suffolkcc.gov.uk.