If you care about local mental health issues…

Published: 21 October, 2010

• THE Link is a legislated organisation set up by the Department of Health to give local residents a stronger voice on health issues. 

Camden residents are used to the National Health Service sometimes taking decisions regardless of the views expressed in public consultations. 

If anyone asked why the NHS wanted to close a health service, or do things differently despite local opposition, they were told that a consultation is not a vote.

When foundation trusts were set up it finally seemed to give local residents real power. We had more than just a say. We had a vote in running our health service. It was supposed to democratise the NHS. 

Local people could become members of their FT, vote at meetings and elect representatives called governors. 

Governors could do more than express a view, they would appoint the bosses and even replace them if necessary. 

The Camden Local Involvement Network (LINk) is a statutory body run by volunteers that strives to give local people a voice in health and social care. There are 152 LINks in England. Camden & Islington currently has a LINk representative on their mental health trust. 

That’s why we are dismayed to learn that the Camden & Islington Mental Health Foundation Trust are proposing to remove some of the rights of their members and governors and reduce the number of representatives.

These changes are being proposed with little involvement from local people who have been allowed just three weeks (October 11 to November 5) to consider quite lengthy and complex documents.

A decision will be made by the trust on December 7. 

If you care about mental health/social care services in Camden please write to us now before your rights are taken away.  

To support us and protect the current balanced management of the C&I trust write to: Camden LINk: Oasis Camden, 85-87 Bayham St, NW1 0AG. Email: camden.link@shaw-trust.org.uk

NEIL WOODNICK
Camden LINk member