Saima Khan, LINk Policy Officer
Some of you may be aware RT Hon Stephen Dorrell is not only a Charnwood MP, but is currently the Chairman of the House of Common’s Health Select Committee.

The LINk/Local HealthWatch Transformation Task Group has been keeping busy lobbying our local MPs on a number of changes we would like to the Health and Social Care Bill.

Task Group members; John Baker, LINk Chair, Geoff Smith, LINk Board Member and HealthWatch Advisor, Gill Wollerton, LINk Project Manager and I went along to meet with Rt Hon Stephen Dorrell. He was very sympathetic to our concerns regarding the Health and Social Care Bill and agreed to support and help in the following three areas:

1. Support for our pursuit for Pathfinder status

By becoming a Pathfinder, we will be able to test out some of the additional functions which LINks will gain in 2012. Currently, together with Leicestershire County Council we are putting our bid in to the Department of Health.

2. Raise the issue of GP Consortia and Public accountability at the Health Select Committee

We would like the GP Consortia to meet in public and have been very fortunate to following the meeting to have a seat on one of the GP Consortia Boards.

3. Speak to Jo Williams, Chair of Care Quality Commission enquiring why HealthWatch England isn’t being set up ‘tomorrow’ i.e. as soon as possible

We do not want history to repeat itself; therefore it is important that HealthWatch England is set up as soon as possible, especially in the interest of patients and the public, to ensure a smooth and seamless transition from LINks to LHW.

It was a pleasure meeting RT Hon Stephen Dorrell and we hope our concerns will be shared with those down in WhiteHall, but … our work doesn’t stop here. The LINk is still at the forefront of making a difference and we will keep lobbying our MPs over some of the reforms being made.

If you would like to get involved, please contact me by email saima@communitiesinpartnership.org.uk or call 0116 2293048