What powers does Hull LINk have? Will it make a difference?
The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 sets out the legal duties and powers of LINks. In addition, the Government has issued Regulations and Directions describing the detail of LINk activities which have the force of law and must be complied with. They also place duties on the local NHS and the City Council to provide information, access to premises, and to talk to and listen to the LINk.
Under the Act, Hull LINk can:
- Ask for information from the commissioners and providers of services. Commissioners/providers must respond to the LINk within a set time.
- Collect views and experiences of services and submit reports and recommendations on issues to commissioners and providers. Again commissioners/providers must respond to these recommendations within a set time.
- Approved Hull LINk representatives can ‘enter and view’ health and social care premises to look at how services are being provided to people.
- Ask the City Council’s Health and Well Being Scrutiny Commission to investigate issues further and receive a response.
Hull LINk provides real influence over those who commission, provide, manage and scrutinise local health and social care services, to help improve these services.
