Previous activities

Our work for 2010-11 is set out in our Annual report (click here to download a copy). The following is brief summary of our priority areas and work for the year.

To increase participation in LINk Merton

• Outreach programme: 17 meetings involving over 300 people, plus attendance at key meetings to raise awareness
• Developed publicity materials
• Strengthened our steering group with 4 new members

To ensure LINk involvement at a strategic level in Transforming Healthcare

• Invitation from NHS Sutton and Merton for LINk to be represented on their Commissioning Board and Clinical Effectiveness Group
• Invited to participate in the procurement process for delivery of Sutton and Merton Community Services.
• Participation in national, sub-regional and local consultations
• Representation on the Better Healthcare Closer to Home Board and participation in a number of workshops looking at the design of clinical services.

To ensure LINk involvement at a strategic level in Personalising Social Care

• Held a focus group meeting for service users and carers participating in the pilot of the local Self Directed Support programme.  For a copy of the report from this event, click here.
• Representation on the Self Directed Support Project Board.

To ensure patients and carers are clear in where to go and receive support to make complaints about health and social care services

• Development of a guide to making a complaint about health and social care services. Click here for more information.

To engage and keep a watching brief on the recommissioning of end of life care (EOLC)

• Maintaining links with local programme lead to gain a greater understanding of the development of new services in this area.

To review BME inclusion in mental health day care provision

• Work with South West London St Georges Mental Health Trust and the Ahmadiyyan Muslim Association to explore how to improve early take up of day care services.

To conduct a service review of hospital discharge

• Major research project to get case studies of patient experience of discharge from St Helier hospital. Research also includes collecting the views of local GPs, District Nurses and voluntary groups.

To develop and maintain an effective LINk

• Formation of a governance working group to maintain good partnership working within the LINk.

Access to NHS information for people with a visual impairment

• Major conference held jointly with MertonVision and RNIB to highlight need for improved access to information
• Helped NHS Sutton and Merton and St Georges Hospital Breast Screening service to improve accessibility of web-based information.
• Supported Epsom and St Helier hospital to develop a work programme in this area.

Additional pieces of work and opportunities for quick wins

• Smaller ad hoc pieces of work, e.g. publicising events, sharing information, responding to requests for representatives, etc.