We would like to hear from you! If you are interested in joining this new group, sharing your experiences and making a difference; join us at the first meeting on 29th May at Glenfield Parish Rooms, Stamford Street, Glenfield, Leicester, LE3 8DL from 2.30pm to 4pm.

If you are planning to attend, please contact Judith Lindley on 0116 229 3048 or email judith@communitiesinpartnership.org.uk

• Market Harborough District Hospital
• St Luke's Hospital, Market Harborough
• Rutland Memorial Hospital
• Feilding Palmer Hospital, Lutterworth
• Melton Mowbray Hospital and St Mary's Maternity Hospital
• GP Practices e.g. Syston Health Centre

What do you want from your community services? What are your thoughts on elective care services (treatment and surgery which is pre-arranged and not urgent) and the Minor Injury Units?

Complete the survey online by the 13^th May 2012.

If you would like translations, large print, hard copies or easy read versions please call Penny Harris on 0116 295 7571 or email getinvolved@leicestercity.nhs.uk

East Leicestershire and Rutland CCG is set to take over responsibility forplanning and buying most of the health services needed by people living in thisarea from April 2013 as part of the Government's NHS reforms which were given Royal Assent last week.

The agenda and papers will be available to view on the CCG website.

A summary version is also available.

Please take a few moments to complete this survey.

The closing date for the completion of the survey is Wednesday 21st March 2012.

We will then include this feedback in the final report of work on the signposting model that we send to the Department of Health. After that, next steps will depend on the final form that the new Leicestershire HealthWatch takes, and whether they wish to develop the model further. But we hope that the work that has been done will inform not only Leicestershire's new HealthWatch, but other HealthWatch's around the country.

Speaking today John Baker, Chair of Leicestershire LINk said that he "welcomed the opportunity to explain to the Government the way to develop a truly independent HealthWatch England to lead Local HealthWatch, the independent consumer champion for health and social care".

Read the report to find out what was said by Leicestershire LINk members and attendees at the engagement event.

Some of the key changes are:

• Local HealthWatch will now start in April 2013, not in October 2012 as originally planned. This will give the LINk and Local Council more time in setting up Local HealthWatch.
• After a huge response from LINks and other stakeholders, the Department of Health will now make money available for existing pathfinders.

Geoff Smith, Leicestershire LINk HealthWatch Lead said:

"For patients and the public Lansley's announcement of a six month deferral of the start up of HealthWatch Leicestershire is good news - HealthWatch England will now be able to ensure that Local Authorities do a good job in establishing the 'independent consumer champion for health and social care' that the White Paper envisaged. The announcement also gives hope that he will also listen to the experience and expertise of LINks who have told MPs and Peers of the changes that are essential to improve the Health and Social Care Bill, not least to ensure that the funding provided to local authorities by the Department of Health for HealthWatch is spent to enable it to deliver its promise. Having said this, as a result of Government cuts to Local Authorities, our major concern is the issue of securing adequate funding during the transition period".

Find out more about HealthWatch.

Find out more

Complete the online survey

Volunteers will be on hand to provide information from CLASP the Carers Centre, Carers Action, Crossroads, Age Concern, Leicestershire LINk and other organisations.

Pop into Sainsbury's Fosse Park to meet the volunteers and find out more about carer organisations, from 7am to 11pm on Friday 2^nd December, Monday 5^th December or Tuesday 6^th December.

John Marshall, Leicestershire LINk Carers Task Group member and former carer said: "These events enable us to reach out to carers and provide the information and advice on support services available to them".

Choose Better is challenging the public to play their part in keeping A&E free for those suffering from the most serious illnesses and injuries during one of the busiest times of the year. Leaflets and posters will be displayed in GP surgeries, health centres and community centres with the Choose Better message and members of the public will be able to pick up their own pocket-sized information guides giving details on where to turn when they or a member of their family fall ill, and advice on where best to seek treatment.

For more information on Choose Better visit www.choosebetter.org.uk

Leicestershire LINk and Leicestershire County Council are holding an event for people who use care and support services, carers, local councils, care providers, and the voluntary sector to find out more about the priorities for improving care and support.

David Sprason, Leicestershire County Council's Cabinet Member for Adults and Communities said:

"We place great value in delivering services that meet the needs of our residents and it is important that we get this right. You can help shape the future of social care services in Leicestershire. I would urge everyone to come along to the event to find out more and have their say."

This is your opportunity to have your say and influence social care in the future. Come along on Monday 21^st November 2011, 10am – 12.30pm (Registration from 9.30am) at Parklands Leisure Centre, Washbrook Lane, Wigston Road, Oadby, LE2 5QG.

Book your place now!

Leicestershire LINk awaits the decision of the Safe and Sustainable appeal which should be made by spring 2012.

Health Minister Simon Burns said: "This report shows that LINks are continuing to grow and that their activities can have a real impact on local services. It is encouraging to see that more local groups are becoming involved to strengthen relationships in the community and engage with hard to reach groups. We will continue to work with our partner organisations to help establish Local HealthWatch across the country and help improve people's care."

Members of the LINk Project Group will be meeting with Malcolm in December. If you have a question you would like to be asked on your behalf, please email saima@communitiesinpartnership.org.uk by 30^th November 2011.

The CCG wants to ensure that when people need urgent care they can receive it as effectively as possible, whilst looking to work with other parts of the NHS to ensure that local services such as the community hospital are as effective as possible in bringing care closer to home.

As part of this a 12-week public consultation will offer two options:

• Option one is urgent care at the current Walk-In Centre at Pinfold Gate
• Option two is urgent care provided at Loughborough Hospital in Epinal Way

The project group developing the proposals included GPs, a representative of Leicestershire LINk, a patient representative, and officers of the West Leicestershire CCG. Feedback has also been received from staff at the Walk-In Centre, local government colleagues and the local MP. Leicestershire LINk has been involved in the consultation process and the engagement event held in August and will be monitoring developments closely on behalf of patients and the public.

During the consultation, people will be able to have their say in a questionnaire which will be available from the Walk-In Centre, local libraries, GP surgeries, at locally held public meetings and council buildings.

Complete the questionnaire

The consultation runs from 19 October 2011 to 11 January 2012.