THET

FAQs

Health Links

What is a Health Link?
Health Links are long-term partnerships between UK health institutions and their counterparts in developing countries. Links aim to improve health services in developing countries through the reciprocal exchange of skills, knowledge and experience between partners in the UK and those overseas.

Where can I read about the UK’s support for Links?
In 2008 the UK Government released its strategy for addressing international health issues in a paper called ‘Health is Global, A UK Government Strategy 2008-13’. This paper builds on recommendations made by Nigel Crisp in his report ‘Global Health Partnerships: the UK contribution to health in developing countries’, published in 2007. Both documents clearly outline issues currently faced by the international healthcare community, and reasons for the UK Government’s support of Health Links as a means of addressing some of these challenges.

THET’s role with Links

What does THET do for Links?
THET is a UK-based health charity (non-profit organisation). THET works with health institutions in the UK and developing countries to create lasting partnerships aimed at improving health services in developing countries. These institutions may be colleges/universities, teaching hospitals or training centres, hospitals, NHS Foundation Trusts, NGO-run clinics, non-profit health practices and health ministries. THET can provide advice and guidance to institutions throughout a Link’s life-cycle, from identifying Link partners and establishing Links to maintaining Link relationships and implementing Link projects.

THET, with the British Council, also offers Links the opportunity to access funding through the new International Health Links Funding Scheme. Through the Scheme Links can apply for grants to fund various Link activities, from establishing relationships and conducting needs assessments to implementing projects.

If you are looking for advice and support with establishing your Link please contact info@thet.org. For general information about Links please see THET’s International Health Links Manual, or contact the International Heath Links Centre.

Who do I contact at THET about Health Links?
For advice and support with establishing your Link please contact info@thet.org. For general information about Links please see THET’s International Health Links Manual or contact the International Health Links Centre.

In which countries does THET have Programmes and registered Links in?
THET supports programmes in a variety of developing countries. Currently most programmes and Link partnerships are based in Africa, but increasing numbers of Links in Asia are registering with THET. To learn more about where Links are operating please browse through our Links Search in the right-hand column of our website at www.thet.org.uk.

I am a health professional based in a developing country and need support to develop a service.
Can THET help me?
THET works with Health Links, which are long-term partnerships between UK health institutions and their counterparts in developing countries. Links aim to improve health services in developing countries through the reciprocal exchange of skills, knowledge and experience between partners in the UK and those overseas.

THET can help health institutions find, form and develop Link partnerships. THET has also developed guides and resources on every aspect of developing a Link based on lessons learned from years of working within the field. To learn more about how to set up a Link please refer to our Starting a Link webpage and the Health Links Manual, which is downloadable from this website. For additional and Link specific support please contact the info@thet.org.

Can I contact other people involved in Links?
THET encourages Links to share information. If you would like to contact another Link operating in a similar area or field to you please use our Links search to check our database for contact details.

What publicity have THET and Links received – where can I learn more?
THET and its associated Links’ work have received publicity from various sources. For more information please visit our Media Centre on our website at www.thet.org.uk

I like the work that THET is doing – how can I support THET?
THET relies on the generous donations of our supporters to carry out its activities. There are a number of different ways in which you can get involved and support our valuable work:

Make a Donation – Give a little, or a lot, each month or each year. We
Leave a Legacy – Your legacy will make a lasting difference.
Fundraising Events – Host an event on behalf of THET! We provide you with the event pack full of fundraising ideas, and a step-by-step guide to planning your own event. Or take part in a challenge event. You can join Team THET each year for the Asics British 10k London Run.
Give Time – Your skills, time, and expertise are greatly valued in our UK office.
Corporate Support – Whether it’s Gifts-In-Kind or Charity Of The Year, partner with us and benefit from your corporate social responsibilities
Trusts & Foundations – Interested in supporting our core, capital, or revenue costs? We are seeking new funders!

Volunteering in International Health

I am a health professional and would like to do some work overseas – can THET help me?
THET itself does not organise individual overseas health placements or take health professionals on an individual basis to work overseas. If this is what you are interested in please visit our Get Involved with a Link page. This will provide you with more information about who you could contact about volunteering overseas.

If you have a specific country or placement type in mind you could also use the Links search to contact specific Links about a possible placement.

I am looking for a placement for a medical elective – can THET help?
THET itself does not organise medical electives or take people on an individual basis to work overseas. If this is what you are interested in please visit our Get Involved with a Link page. This will provide you with more information about who you could contact about volunteering overseas with other organisations. You may also find it useful to visit the BMA website: http://www.bma.org.uk/international/working_abroad/broadeningyourhorizons.jsp.

If you have a specific country or placement type in mind you could also use the Links search to contact specific Links about a possible placement.

Starting a Link

I am interested in starting a Link – is my institution eligible?
As a UK health organisation wanting to become a partner in a Link relationship you should be able to demonstrate:

Broad support for the idea of a Link across your workforce
The capacity to coordinate and manage the Link relationship
The availability of resources (human and financial) to support your work as a Link partner

As a health organisation in a developing country wanting to become a partner in a Link relationship you should be able to demonstrate:

That you service a disadvantaged community
That you do not have the capacity to adequately deliver health services
That you have the capacity to coordinate and manage the Link relationship
That you have broad support for the idea of a Link across your work force

It has been the experience of THET that Links work best when the partnering institutions are of a similar type. If your institution is smaller than a District Hospital, you may want to consider forming a partnership with another local health institution and send in a joint Link Request.

When is a Link not appropriate?
The intention of a Links is to create a long term partnership focused on increasing the capacity of health workers through on-site training and staff dialogue. While Links can sometimes provide small donations of goods to support capacity building activities it is not their primary aim. Therefore a Link is not appropriate if:

You are looking for a one off interaction/project
You are looking for large amounts of funding for capital goods
Your institution is so small that you cannot support/coordinate a long-term Link
Your institution or the activities you wish to support through the Link are profit-making
Our institution is eligible to start a Link. How do we begin?

For more information about creating a partnership, carrying out a needs assessment, creating a Memorandum of Understanding, fundraising and planning Link activities please see the THET International Health Links Manual which can be downloaded for free or a hard copy purchased from this site.

I am a member of a Link and would like to be featured on your Links search. How can we register our details?
To register your Link, please visit our website at www.thet.org and click on the icon on the lower righthand side which says ‘SIGN UP NOW’. This will take you to a page where you will be able to register your Health Link. Once this is done, we will contact you to make sure everything is in order to set up your own webpage.

Please note that Links are responsible for keeping their information up to date. You can send updates and photos to info@thet.org, ensuring everything is probably cited and explained. We will update your page accordingly. If you have any problems, please contact us on 020 7290 3892 or info@thet.org.

Do you have any advice on how to gain the support of my Trust in forming a Link?
Information on how to gain support for a Link from your Trust can be found in the Health Links Manual, Chapter 2.1: Thinking about a Link. For additional support information please see the Lord Crisp Report on the THET in the News page, and the THET Publications page. If you have any further queries you can contact the THET Links Team or the International Health Links Centre

What are the key issues a new Link should keep in mind when planning its first year?
The key thing to remember when planning any Link activities is that it should address a need which has been identified and prioritised by the partner in the developing country. This means the key activity for all new Links is an introductory visit and needs assessment of the developing country partner and the communities in which they work. The information gathered during these activities should form the starting point of a discussion between the partners around the development of an action or programme plan for the Link. The plan should be realistic in terms of the resources available to each partner, the time scale for activities (what is possible within time limits), who else the Link might want to work with, and how can the implementation and impact of Link activities be measured.

How to Fund a Link

Can you assist me in fundraising for my Link?
THET does not fundraise for individual Links. For information on how to raise funds for your Link please see Chapter 2.9 ‘Funding a Link’, in the Health Links Manual or visit the Funding for Links page. If you still have any queries regarding how to fundraise for your Link you can contact the International Health Links Centre.

Can the International Health Links Funding Scheme help our Link?
The International Health Links Funding Scheme has been created to support the work of Links by providing them with a pool of funding with which to establish Links and carry out different Link projects. Please visit the International Health Links Funding Scheme webpage for more information.

How can we find other donors?
There are various different donors that will support Link and health activities. To keep up-to-date on new funding opportunities sign up to the THET e-bulletin. You will receive monthly updates on events, news, Link activities and any new sources of funding.

I am looking for funding to support personal academic development. Can THET support me?
THET does not fund personal academic development. There are various organisations and universities that offer scholarships or financial support for academic development. If you are associated with a university or college you should contact your course tutor or the course coordinator for suggestions. THET also has a list of various types of individual and organisation support on the website. Please visit the Useful Contacts page on the THET website and the British Council website for further information and ideas.

Can THET help me find funding for an academic trip as an individual?
THET does not fund individuals. There are various organisations and universities that offer scholarships or financial support for academic trips and research. If you are associated with a university or college you should contact your course tutor or the course coordinator for suggestions. THET also has a list of various types of individual and organisation support on the website. Please visit the Useful Contacts page on the THET website and the British Council website for further information and ideas.

Travel

Our Link intends to visit our overseas partner. Can THET give us advice and guidance on planning our trip?
The Links Manual has chapters on preparing for visits, ‘dos and don’ts’ in the UK and overseas, team size and mix, risk/security issues, insurance and indemnity issues, professional registration and organising follow up visits. The Resources for Links page on the THET website also has information and links to various reports and websites on travel, photography, and risk and security for visiting partners.

If you have an overseas trip coming up we would also encourage you to look at the advice on the website of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before you leave to ensure you are prepared for any eventuality. In particular, “LOCATE” is an FCO travel service which allows you to register your details with the FCO when you travel – www.locate.fco.gov.uk

The following travel advice website is also recommended by the FCO and has lots of useful resources including a special travel advice website for health professionals and a travel advice line – www.nathnac.org

If still have any queries please contact info@thet.org and we will try and help in any way that we can.

Starting and Managing a Programme

Our Link would like to start a programme – where do we begin?
For a comprehensive step-by-step guide to setting up Links and Link programmes please read the International Health Links manual.

Can THET give advice and support to manage a programme?
THET is involved with Links in various capacities. If you would like advice and support on managing your Links’ programme please see the Health Links Manual or contact info@thet.org.

Can THET advise or help with monitoring and evaluating a programme?
Monitoring and evaluating the impact that Link partnerships have towards improving the quality of health services in the developing country is very important. For this reason THET has produced a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Toolkit which Links can use to design their own M&E activities. THET also has a dedicated Learning and Evaluation manager who can assist Links with designing and implementing M&E plans relevant to their project needs.

Events

Are there any conferences or events specifically of interest to Health Links?
There are a number of events which may be of interest to Health Links. For up-to-date information please see the Links Calendar of Events on this website.