The Department of Health is issuing a call for healthcare professionals to support Local Involvement Networks (LINks).

LINks are made up of individuals and community groups who work together to improve local services and cover all health and social care services that are commissioned by the NHS and local authorities in an area. The only services that are excluded are children's social services.

With the launch of the 150th LINk in early 2009, the Department of Health is advocating that healthcare staff from all sectors proactively engage with their LINk and encourage two-way conversations between services and patients.

Joan Saddler, National Director of Patient and Public Affairs at the Department of Health, said 'From the beginning of next year, all organisations providing NHS care in England will be required, by law, to take account of the NHS Constitution when making decisions and taking actions. It is vitally important that we not only raise awareness of the Constitution, but also make the public aware of the different ways in which they can become involved. As such, we are urging health and care professionals from GPs to nurses, dentists to community support workers and social workers, to proactively support their LINk by promoting participation amongst a range of diverse service users and by using their LINk as a vital service planning and delivery tool.

The call from the Department of Health comes as part of a nationwide campaign that aims to drive up awareness of LINks and promote their ability to help bring about genuine change. As part of this campaign, a LINks website has been launched on NHS Choices (http://www.nhs.uk/links) to alert the public, commissioners and service providers to the different ways they can get involved.