a chance to influence your local health and care services. Anyone can get involved, and it has been set up to make sure that people in your area get the health and social services they need.

LINks are made up of individuals and community groups who work together to improve local services. The job of a LINk is to find out what people like and dislike about local services and work with the people who plan and run them to help make them better. This may involve talking directly to health care professionals about a service that is not being offered or suggesting ways that an existing service could be made better. LINks also have legal powers to help with the tasks and to make sure changes happen.

NHS Reforms in North West London

NHS North West London has launched Shaping a healthier future for North West London, a document setting out ideas for changes in how and where health services are delivered in eight local boroughs including Westminster. With an increasing and changing population how the service’s resources are allocated will alter. NHS NW London has published a Case for Change document setting out why reform is needed. A full consultation will be launched in June. Read more here.

Exciting free Community Event Happening on March 1st
A free event aimed at Westminster’s many voluntary and community groups will look at how changes to services and local government could affect them.

2012 is going to be another year of major changes for the sector. This event will give an update on what is happening locally and nationally, and what the likely impact will be on Westminster.

Key note speakers include Mike More, Chief Executive, Westminster Council and Kevin Curley, former Chief Executive of NAVCA.

Book your place by calling us on 020 7723 1216 or visiting www.vawcvs.org/booking  

Local HealthWatch delayed until April 2013
The Department of Health has announced that the introduction of HealthWatch, which will replace LINks will be delayed. HealthWatch will be the local consumer champion for patients, service users and the public. The changeover was originally planned for October 2012 but will now happen in April 2013. Read more here.