The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7472 p372
6 October 2007

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Patient involvement forum to be replaced by new body

Consultation has started on the planned powers of local involvement networks (LINks), which are to replace patient and public involvement forums in England. The role of LINks will be to hold commissioners and providers of health and social care, including community pharmacists and pharmacy owners, to public account.

LINks will have the same power to request information as their predecessor forums, but reinforced by the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Authorised LINk members will also have the right to enter premises to observe the nature and quality of services being provided, subject to some exceptions.

Eileen Neilson, head of policy development at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said: “We will be examining the consultation in the context of pharmacy. The Society has a strategy for patient and public involvement, which is currently being implemented.”

Details of the consultation, which closes on 21 December 2007, are available online