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Local Involvement Networks to look at health and social care in Devon New Local Involvement Networks (LINks) have taken over the influential role of independently monitoring and advising health and social care providers in Devon. Previously, there have been Patient and Public Involvement Forums, set up by the Government to monitor and influence health services. But from April 2008 LINks play that role, with an extended remit to include scrutiny of social services as well. The LINks network will be independent of the County Council and the NHS. This is the first time that Devon people will get a united voice on these closely related issues. A LINk will be a network of local people, organisations and groups that want to make health and social care services better. There will be one LINk for every Local Authority area where there is a responsibility for social care and members can include any person or any group. They give local people the opportunity to influence health and social care services and enable them to have a strong voice in how services are planned and run. A LINk is a mechanism that will gather information from local and Devon-wide communities will share information will put people in touch with each other A LINk is not a complaints service a series of committee meetings a duplication of what is already taking place in the community A LINk will give people the chance to say what they think about their local health and social care services what is working well or not, and to feedback those comments so that changes might be made for the better. Following an extensive tendering process, East Devon Volunteer Support Agency, on behalf of Devon Association of CVS, has been appointed as the Host organisation that will support the Devon LINk. Members are now being recruited to the new Devon LINk. We hope to recruit a diverse and representative membership from across Devon. There are a number of ways in which people and groups can get involved. At the beginning to shape the focus and priorities When its established to provide members of your group with an amplified voice When theres an issue relating to commissioning or provision of services that would benefit from broader input and a louder voice Anyone who would like to be part of the network should register as a member. Some people may just want to receive information, such as a newsletter; others may wish to get more involved. Your involvement can be at a level of your choosing according to your needs and commitments and can change at any time. For further information, or to register an interest, please call us on 01404 549045 or email link@edvsa.org.uk Solar panels not new With reference to
Councillor Barton's solar water heating (June Buzz) I have had solar heating
for 30 years. It is not rocket science , it is common sense to save money and
fossil fuel. People are far too wasteful the way they are today. Slugs and snails again Just moved into the area and taken over a really unloved and overgrown garden. It was very like a jungle before I attacked it.. Now I am trying to grow tomatoes, peas, and cucumber, but due to the large numbers of snails I seemed to be fighting a losing battle at one point. Just about coming through now though. I do notice they havent seemed to touch my radishes - is this a fact ? Can I grow lots of radish in between my other plants to combat the snails ,as my brother did tell me off for drenching my garden in slug pellets. Is there any plant I can grow to combat this pest. ? Susan |
