ERYLINk seeks new leaders

THE ERYLINk is watching the health and social care providers in the East Yorkshire area on behalf of patients and the public. But new blood - sorry for the pun! - is needed for the community network's Lead Group.

The Local Involvement Network's Lead Group is the body elected by the ERYLINk members to manage and steer the organisation. A key part of the role of the Lead Group is to ensure that the organisation is representative of, and accountable to local communities.

The ERYLINk is seeking 2 individual members and 4 organisational members to join the LINk Lead Group and nominations from members have to be in by Wednesday 4th May.

If you want to join the ERYLINk, or find out more about the Lead Group elections then have a look at the ERYLINk website or contact Susan Oliver at the organisation's Driffield HQ on 01377 232135.

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A Public Meeting will be held at The Spa, Bridlington on 20 April 2011 from 6.30pm to 8.30 pm to facilitate the questioning of the Chief Executives of Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare Trust and York Hospital Foundation Trust. Patrick Crowley (York) and Mike Proctor (SNEY) will be present to give an update on the merger between the two trusts and to answer questions from the floor.

Come along and hear about it from the men who know.

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What health concern priorities ought to be investigated?

ERYLINk, THE EAST RIDING LINk (East Riding of Yorkshire Local Involvement Network) is planning its Workplan for the coming year and is asking for help in deciding what its health and social care priorities should be.

ERYLINk is the community "Health Watchdog" for the area. LINks have special powers granted to them by an Act of Parliament that enables them to investigate health and social care concerns in the local area and put forward patient and public recommendations for improving services.

The ERYLINk is meeting on Tuesday 22nd March to plan its forthcoming work programme but welcomes ideas and suggestions from local people on what issues it should be investigating and say "No job is too big, and no job is too small!"

If you have suggestions on what ERYLINk should be investigating, or want to get involved,  then call them on 01377 232135 or e-mail erylink@hwrcc.org.uk or write to:

ERYLINk Office
Challenge House
35 Eastgate North
Driffield East Riding of Yorkshire
YO256DG
Website: http://erylink.org.uk

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Health Watchdog leaders seek to appoint new Chair

LOCAL HEALTH WATCHDOGS the East Riding of Yorkshire LINk have lost their Chair who has resigned "due to unforseen circumstances". The organisation which meets in Beverley next week for a crucial discussion on the Government's Health Bill now seeks to appoint a new Chair from within its leading group of activists.

Under its existing rules the organisation would have to organise a hustings of its entire membership to elect a new Chair - so the organisation's governance document is being changed to allow the LINk's Lead Group to elect this important role.

It would seem to make sense that the Chair is elected by the body in which she/he will spend the most time facilitating, but members will have the opportunity to accept or reject this, along with other proposed policy and procedure changes, at the meeting on Thursday February 24th.

See Beverley Forum on the ERYLINk website.

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ERYLINk Forum - Giving you a stronger voice on Health and Social Care

BEVERLEY IS THE LOCATION for the next Forum Meeting of health watch-dogs the ERYLINk (East Riding of Yorkshire Local Involvement Network).

Taking place at the Beverley Arms Hotel, on Thursday 24th February, the Forum is an opportunity to hear about how the Government's health reforms will affect you. Proposals to set up the new 'HealthWatch' initiative, which aims to "put patients at the heart of the NHS", will also be under discussion. The Forum takes place from 10:30am - 3:00pm.

The ERYLINk has over 400 groups and individuals involved and has carried out some major investigations into local health issues. The Beverley Forum is an opportunity to discuss how these successes can be built upon and help provide a vision of how HealthWatch East Riding of Yorkshire might work.

Contact the ERYLINk on 01377 232 135 for more information or e-mail erylink@hwrcc.org.uk.

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HealthWatch - Get involved from the start!

IN JULY 2010, the Government announced plans to set up new independent champions for health and social care consumers called HealthWatchEngland.

Many people already give up their time - via LINks (Local Involvement Networks) and Patient Participation Groups and help shape local health and social care services. To build on this, HealthWatchEngland will be established as the "national independent champion" for health and social care consumers i.e. those who use and benefit from such services.

East Riding LINk is expected to turn into the local HealthWatch which Government documents have described as a kind of "citizen’s advice bureau" for health and social care in the area.

Legislation to establish HealthWatch is being introduced by Parliament. The new bodies are expected to be up and running by 2012.

People interested in helping to shape health and social care services locally - and getting involved with HealthWatch from the start - can find out more by contacting:

Susan Oliver

ERYLINk Office
Challenge House
35 Eastgate North
Driffield

Telephone: 01377 232135
E-mail: erylink@hwrcc.org.uk

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