To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he takes to ensure that LINks pay appropriate attention to social care inquiries; and what mechanisms are in place to ensure that health and overview scrutiny committees take account of social care referrals. (235689)

Section 221 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, sets out local involvement network activities in respect of both health and social services.

All materials produced to describe the role of LINks highlight that the LINk role incorporates social services. The Act also contains provision, which ensures that, should a local involvement network (LINk) refers a matter relating to social care services to a Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC), the Committee is required to respond to the LINk and keep the LINk informed of the Committee’s actions in relation to the matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that LINks and health and overview scrutiny committees work effectively together. (235690)

The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, contains provision which ensures that, should a local involvement network (LINk) refer a matter relating to social care services to a Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC), the Committee is required to respond to the LINk and keep the LINk informed of the Committee’s actions in relation to the matter. The Act only provides for social care referrals, because there is an existing regulation making power to require committees to respond to health matters when they are referred. The regulations have been amended to mirror the requirements of the Act but for health matters.

LINks will provide detailed data to OSCs and enable them to get a clearer picture of peoples’ needs and experiences of health and social care services.

Since the legislation establishing LINks came into force, in April 2008, the Department has put in place a programme of support for local authorities, host organisations and LINks. As part of this programme, the NHS Centre for Involvement has produced guidance materials, which consistently highlight the importance of LINks establishing close working relations with OSCs.

The Department is currently asking people and organisations for their ideas on how we can build on the achievements of health overview and scrutiny and consider ways in which health scrutiny arrangements can be strengthened. Those views will inform a review of current OSC guidance and a consultation on the review will begin in the spring of 2009.