Welcome to Milton Keynes LINk

A stronger voice for better care

In July 2010, the Government announced plans to set up an independent champion for health and social care consumers called HealthWatchEngland. Local Involvement Networks (LINks) will become local HealthWatch organisations. The White Paper ‘Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS' set out the Government's vision for transforming health and social care.
It said:
Putting patients first: “We will put patients at the heart of the NHS, through an information revolution and greater choice and control”.
Improving healthcare outcomes: “To achieve our ambition for world-class healthcare outcomes, the service must be focused on outcomes and the quality standards that deliver them. The Government's objectives are to reduce mortality and morbidity, increase safety, and improve patient experience and outcomes for all”.
Autonomy, accountability and democratic legitimacy: “The Government's reforms will empower professionals and providers, giving them more autonomy and, in return, making them more accountable for the results they achieve, accountable to patients through choice and accountable to the public at local level”.
A stronger consumer voiceAcross England, many people already give up their time -via Local Involvement Networks (LINks) & Patient Participation Groups -to help shape local health and social care services.
To give consumers an even stronger voice, there are plans to build on the current role of LINks as they transition into local HealthWatch and the national body, Healthwatch England, develops.

Although the changes will not take place as soon as initially planned, LINks are likely to become Healthwatch by October 2012.LINk:MK will post all the latest news and developments here and keep our members up to date with our transition.