IRU - Friday 20th August 2021

Hello and welcome to this weeks Stockport Information Round-up! 

Remember if you want to receive the link weekly then you can sign up here and you will get an email every week with the link as soon as it is public. 

If you ever want to promote your work, event or you would like any information circulated please contact Liam at comms@healthwatchstockport.co.uk.

Have a nice weekend!

Healthwatch Stockport Information Session 

Join us for an Information Session on Friday 10th September 2021 - 10:30am till 12:00pm. 

What is an Information Session?

We run regular Information Sessions every 4 months to explain the running of Healthwatch Stockport. You can attend to ask questions about what we do and how you can get involved.

At Healthwatch Stockport there are many various volunteering roles that may interest you, you can find out more about these roles at the session.

This session will take place online on Zoom, In hope that our next Information Session will be at our offices the wonderful Land O' Cakes where you can come and have a cup of tea or coffee! 

Numbers are limited to 12 people - if you want to attend the session and either you can't make it or places are full you can contact the Healthwatch Stockport office and register your interest for the next online information session. 

Register your place today

If you have any questions prior to the session please contact the office on 0161 974 0753 or email comms@healthwatchstockport.co.uk.

Latest Statement from Director of Public Health

Message from Emma Ferguson (Stockport Council)

Date: 13th August 2021

Please find the link to the latest https://www.stockport.gov.uk/news/statement-from-the-director-of-public-health-23721

In our borough, cases are currently at 331.9 per 100,000, which equates to 139 cases per day*. Following the decline in cases over the last few week, we are now seeing case rates rise again. Over the next few weeks, we may see a bumpy road with rates declining and falling as we see the effects of coming out of lockdown and people mixing more.

This week the statement addresses that the 16+ age group are now able to get the vaccination at our weekly pop-ups and that the national booking line will soon be open to this age group (currently at aged 17 and within three months of their 18th birthday). The statement also details changes to self-isolation rules from Monday (16th), which will  mean close contacts who are double vaccinated and those under 18, will no longer have to self-isolate but will be encouraged to undertake PCR testing. We will cover more on this next week.

We will continue to be asking residents to get a vaccine when called at the weekly pop ups – especially to get two vaccines and to continue lateral flow tests over the summer.

If you can help share this messaging amongst your networks that would be helpful.

NHS Digital report on type 2 diabetes in children and young people

Message from Lisa Holland (Diabetes UK)

You might have seen some headlines yesterday (13.8.21) about a new report showing a concerning number of children in England living with type 2 diabetes.

This is very worrying, and we’re working to make sure this number doesn’t continue to increase. Read our response to the findings here:  New data reveals true extent of the number of children living with type 2 diabetes | Diabetes UK

We’ve developed  a new webpage which offers support to parents and carers dealing with a type 2 diagnosis in their child or teen, providing answers to some questions we anticipate they may have:  Children and type 2 diabetes | Guide to diabetes | Diabetes UK

Please remember our Diabetes UK Helpline is available for anyone seeking help and advice:

Diabetes UK Helpline | Diabetes UK

Use our libraries to get online

Message from Sarah Burke (Stockport Council)

You can go to all our libraries to use a computer for free or make use of the free wifi on your own device. If you're a member of Stockport Libraries, you can book a computer online. This allows you to select the library you want to use and book a PC at a specific time.

And you can register for Open+ to use some libraries for extra hours each week, outside staffed hours.

‘Open+’ self-service technology lets you into your library using your library card, so you can visit when it’s convenient for you, including Sundays and evenings. You can pick up reserved items, borrow and return books, use the library computers or the Wi-Fi on your own devices.

Open+ is available at Bramhall, Bredbury, Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Hazel Grove, Heald Green, High Lane, the Heatons and Marple libraries. To register for this service, call into one of the Open+ libraries with proof of identity and proof of address.

Library staff are still available to assist you at other times, for example, if you need digital skills support or to use the printing/scanning facilities, and each library will have at least one day staffed until 6pm.

Find out more

Free September online events for GP training and patients - The Alexandra Hospital

Message from Katy Wallace (BMI Healthcare)

BMI The Alexandra Hospital are running a series of free, online healthcare education events in September for GPs, healthcare professionals and patients.

We would be really grateful if you could pass the information along to any staff or patients you know that maybe interested. We would also really appreciate it if you could add these events to any newsletters you may have.

All the events are free to attend and will be conducted virtually over Microsoft Teams. You can easily book a place through the Eventbrite links which I have included below. The events are education and awareness events only and are there to help anyone who feels they would benefit from them – we do not promote specific products and services.

GP and healthcare professional events – September 2021

• Autologous Breast Reconstruction - DIEP and beyond – 7 September – 7pm – Find out more and book here
• Sportsman's hernia - evidence behind the treatment – 11 September – 10.30am – Find out more and book here
• Neck lumps, sore throats and HPV - safe management in Primary Care – 23 September – 7pm – Find out more and book here
• A big question for a big toe - To fuse or not to fuse? – 30 September – 7pm – Find out more and book here

Patient information events – September 2021

• Modern Management of Migraines – 9 September – 7.15pm – Find out more and book here
• Living with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) – 16 September – 7pm – Find out more and book here

NHS111 Survey

About this survey

Survey now open around NHS 111, a joint piece of work with other local Healthwatch's in Greater Manchester.

From 1 December 2020, NHS England launched a campaign called NHS 111 First. This campaign encourages the public to call NHS 111 before attending A&E or seeking urgent medical care, to ensure they are directed to the most appropriate service. For the first time, callers to NHS 111 can now receive a pre-booked timeslot to attend their local A&E, as well as receive a same-day appointment booking at the GP and some other urgent health services. This aims to reduce waiting times at emergency departments and limit the number of people in waiting rooms to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This survey aims to take a closer look at people’s experiences and attitudes to NHS 111 generally, as well as the new time-slot booking service being rolled out through NHS 111 First. The survey will take around 15 minutes to complete and the results will help us inform the NHS about how the delivery of NHS111 services can be improved for you and your loved ones.

For the following questions, please remember that your answers are always treated confidentially and are never analysed individually. We have provided you with a "Prefer not to say" option if you would rather not share your experiences.

Take the survey here