East Sussex Local Involvement Network (LINk)

The East Sussex Local Involvement Network opened its doors for business on the 1 April 2008. The LINk has replaced the PPIH (Patient and Public Involvement in Health) with a broader remit for health and social care.

East Sussex is one of the first counties in the country to have completed the process necessary to appoint an organisation, called the Host, to support the LINk. We are delighted to be able to announce that this will be the East sussex Disability Association (ESDA). The office for the LINk support will be based at the ESDA office in Eastbourne with a dedicated telephone number and website.

The contact details for East Sussex LINk are:

1 Faraday Close
Eastbourne
BN22 9BH

Phone: 01323 514510

info@thecountylink.net

www.thecountylink.net

The LINk will continue to meet in public and all of those on its mailing list will be kept regularly informed at all stages. Currently information about the development of the LINk can be found on the East Sussex Strategic Partnership website, www.essp.org.uk or on the Hastings Voluntary Action website, www.hastingsvoluntaryaction.org.

A LINk or Local Involvement Network is designed to be a network of networks, organisations and individuals who have an interest in health and social care and who wish to influence the way in which that care is delivered. To work effectively this needs to be as diverse a group as the population and geography that it covers.

We would welcome anyone wishing to be involved, if you are interested please contact:

Janet Colvert at janet@colvert.demon.co.uk

Jan Cutting on 01424 204685
janet@hvauk.org

A FORUM FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS IN EAST SUSSEX

Only wheelchair users and their carers can fully understand that a malfunctioning wheelchair or lack of a wheelchair at all is just as disabling as any physical impairment.

Without our wheelchairs we cannot have a normal life or take our proper place in the community. We read of initiatives to improve the lives of disabled people but we know that we have no chance at all unless we are supported by a well resourced efficient wheelchair service.

We read of care pathways but are they accessible pathways or are they rocky roads?

We can now share our views and concerns through this forum sponsored by the East Sussex LINk - YOUR VOICE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE IN EAST SUSSEX

The East Sussex LINk is also conducting a review of the East Sussex Wheelchair Service and service users are invited to take part by answering questionnaires, giving interviews and joining the LINk Wheelchair Users Forum where the current eligibility criteria is posted awaiting suggestions for change.

To take part just send an email to wheelchairs@thecountylink.net
or contact East Sussex LINk,1 Faraday Close, Eastbourne ,E.Sussex BN22 9BH
with a contact postal address and telephone number.
You can also join the LINkWheelchairUsersForum directly on the web at Yahoo Groups.