What has the LINk been doing in October 2011

The LINk met with representatives of the Camden Public Health department and NHS Camden to discuss how Public Health is currently and in the future going to be provided in the Borough. We raised questions regarding how those residents who have to use Basic Sign Language in order to communicate because they are deaf , can easily access the health checkup facilities currently being provided in the Borough. We also suggested that those organisations who provide Camden health services need to be far more innovative to ensure all residents are made aware of what facilities are on offer and why they should be using them.

We attended an update on how retinography screening for diabetes patients is progressing in the Borough. The LINk rep who participated in this intiative is also a service user of the screening process and has been able to provide valuable input.

Camden LINk representatives attended an out-of-hours meeting to scrutinise performance results from Harmoni who provide this service in Camden. Out of hours services are emergency GP's support services between 8pm and 8am when surgeries are closed.

LINk reps attended the CCCG Board meeting. We are involved in the Shadow CAMDEN Clinical Commissioning Group and participate in Board meetings although the LINk does not have voting rights. Our representatives are currently working with the commissioning group to identify the best way users of primary care services in Camden (GP's, Chemists , Opticians , Care Services) can feedback back to the Board their satisfaction in the way those services are provided.

Our mental health sub-committee met with representatives of the Camden & Isligton Mental Health Foundation Trust to discuss various concerns raised by Camden mental health patients.