Statement from Hull City Council Regarding Hull LINk

The role of Hull LINk is to ensure that patients and the public continue to receive quality services that have a measurable impact on the health challenges for the City. The work of the LINk has been very helpful in investigating and reporting on Hospital Transport, Maternity Services, Eating Disorder Services, and Alcohol Services.

Despite the considerable reduction in the level of LINk funding, the Steering Group and Hull CVS (the Host organisation awarded the 2011-12 contract), have sought to drive forward this agenda. However, there were some areas of concern that all parties raised over the effective running of the network. Following an independent investigation by Hull City Council, the concerns that all parties raised have been fully reviewed, and actions agreed to address them.

It is obviously regrettable that an informal solution could not be found, and the Council recognises that the resulting work has taken time and caused uncertainty for many people. However, the main conclusions of the report are as follows:-

• First, there has been no wrong-doing on the part of the Chair of the LINk Steering Group; he sought to act in the best interests of the LINk, and no evidence can be found to justify any concerns about his conduct;
• The investigation has particularly shown that communications could be improved;
• There have also been very different interpretations in key aspects of the governance of the network.

All parties have now agreed to work together on resolving any lack of clarity in the governance, and to agree a new approach to communicating that will ensure that the Hull LINk continues to make the best use of everyone’s time, resources, skills and passion and to provide an influential voice for patients, users of services and their carers.

Hull City Council has every confidence that the Steering Group, its Chair, and Hull CVS as Host Organisation, will deliver clear and helpful reports up to the end of the contract in March 2012.

The Council is also encouraged that all parties are eager to work towards developing a strong Healthwatch through which the voice of patients and those in receipt of care can be heard and can be used to influence the service they receive.

Alistair Doxat-Purser, Head of Partnership Working at Hull City Council