The work of Herefordshire LINk
The Herefordshire LINk have drawn up a work plan for 2009-2010. This work plan is a working document and can be added to at any time. The work of the LINk is always based upon what the people of Herefordshire want and need the LINk to be looking at so that improvements to these areas of health and social care can be made.
Herefordshire LINk have already started to engage with local communites through their roadshows in the market towns of Herefordshire. Also, Host Organisation staff have been talking to local community groups and local colleges to seek their views, ideas and experiences. These groups have all signed up to the LINk and a number of projects are in the pipeline. For instance, Health and Social Care students at Herefordshire College of Technology have signed up to the LINk and are keen to produce a health and social care dvd in conjunction with the LINk on an issue or issues affecting young people today.
The LINk would love to hear from anyone who has suggestions for their work plan, or indeed, if anyone wishes to help with any of the work plan issues, from completing a survey to helping compile reports. Please contact the Host organisation on (01432) 373604/5/6 if you are interested in being involved with the LINk's work.
Herefordshire LINk Reports
Ambulance Stock Check Report is now available on this website, please visit our reports page.
Herefordshire LINk work plan 2009 -2010
| Working Group | Issue | Action | Timeframe |
| PCT Group |
|
Patient Transport Service Gather performance data from previous service Gather data on performance up to date, Interview or survey patients, and relevant hospital, care home, intermediate homes, social workers etc Present data on performance |
|
| Hospital Group |
|
||
| Social Care Group |
|
Personalisation/ individualised budgets. Group are to consult with those delivering Brokerage and Lead’s from the Council before deciding a way forward.
Day Care Looking at access to all user groups |
|
| Disability |
|
Group of service users with LD formed and working. Deaf Direct consulted work stream in place. Having consulted with Deaf Direct a number of access issues have been raised. The LINk and Deaf Direct are looking at a joint, planned visit to Hereford County Hospital to raise awareness of these issues and encourage practical solutions |
18th July |
| Younger persons group |
|
See Younger Persons strategy |
Herefordshire LINk Social Care Working Group
The Social Care Working Group has identified the following priorities and these will be the focus of their work for the forthcoming year:
Care (Respite)
Although originally identified through issues raised around respite care it has expanded to include broader work around residential/care homes, including the appropriate training and staffing levels to provide quality of care. We are also assessing, access to care, the personalisation agenda, how care is provided to those in the community and how people access support, information and maintain choice and control.
Support and Social Networks
The provision of Information, how it is provided and how can we ensure that it meets as broad an audience as possible. Where are support groups and networks advertised? Work is currently tackling Drug and Alcohol services and youth offending.
Issues around complaints procedures and Service Level Agreements with respect to non provision of support to vulnerable groups will be addressed although we are not dealing with individual complaints we can ensure that the appropriate complaint mechanisms established within statutory services are effective and raise concerns where these procedures are not working.
Carers Issues
Carer’s issues cover a wide variety of service issues, including care, social networks, children and families and mental health issues. Particular concerns have been raised around the recent Dementia figures. The group will be working closely with carers organisations and encourages individuals and organisations to raise their concerns with us and to form part of our social care group.
Children and Families
Issues have been raised around the transition of children to adult services. We will be working with the Younger Persons Group to agree work plans. Learning Disabilities Services and the Personalisation Agenda/Direct Payments and Individual Budgets are key issues raised to date in respect to the impact upon families and caring issues.
Mental Health Services
Lack of support for social activities, isolation particularly in rural areas, high suicide rates in Herefordshire. Suicide Strategies and the delivery of Mental Health Services in Herefordshire will form part of the ongoing work to address what levels of support are being provided across the region.