Healthwatch Round Up Thursday 9 May 2024
Welcome to this week's Healthwatch Stockport Information Round-up (IRU). Our Round up brings together news, updates, training and events from us at Healthwatch, local health and social care services, community groups and more.
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Keep Sharing Your Feedback!
Have you been discharged from hospital?
Thank you to those who've shared feedback so far about their experiences of being discharged from hospital. If you or a loved one has been recently discharged from hospital, we'd still like to hear your experiences; positive or negative.
Have you recently used audiology services?
If you or someone you know is deaf or has hearing loss, we'd like to better understand your experiences of using local audiology services, whether this is through the hospital or local service, e.g. Specsavers. Are you able to book appointments with ease? Do you receive the care you need?
You can share your feedback in the following ways:
Text 07871 089100 or 0161 974 0753
info@healthwatchstockport.co.uk
healthwatchstockport.co.uk feedback centre
The more feedback we receive, the better we understand your experiences, good, not so good or in-between.
Healthwatch Articles You May Have Missed
Please see the latest news from us and Healthwatch England.
Responding to the NHS Constitution Consultation
The Government has launched a consultation on the NHS Constitution, which sets out your rights as an NHS patient. Read why it's important to have your say.
The three reasons why the push to increase the role of pharmacies is being undermined.
William Pett, Healthwatch England's Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Research reports that people welcome the launch of Pharmacy First. To harness the potential of community pharmacies, healthcare leaders need to address access barriers.
Pharmacy First Makes it Easier to Access Care: Healthwatch Research
The end of this month will mark three months of Pharmacy First in England, the scheme to expand pharmacy services that NHS England hopes will save 10 million GP appointments a year.
Read about Healthwatch's research
Back in April we shared Healthwatch England's article response regarding Deaf and hard of hearing people's healthcare experiences. As it's Deaf Awareness Week, we thought to share this again.
Ordering Repeat Prescriptions via the NHS App – Putting Patients in Control
Details from Greater Manchester Integrated Care
NHS Greater Manchester have launched a video to encourage the public to use the NHS App to order their repeat prescriptions, following changes to the way repeat prescriptions are ordered.
The NHS App is the easiest way for patients to request their repeat prescription – giving them more control over their healthcare and taking away the hassle of unnecessary trips to the GP.
The changes to ordering prescriptions mean that for the majority of patients, the pharmacy will no longer order prescriptions on their behalf.
New Patient Portal for Diabetic Eye Screening
NHS-Galleri Trial: Look Out For Your Invite
Details from Greater Manchester Integrated Care
The NHS-Galleri trial is continuing it's tour of Greater Manchester. The trial is looking into the use of a new blood test to see if it can help the NHS to detect cancer early when used alongside existing cancer screening.
People aged 50 to 77 have volunteered to take part in the trial after receiving an invitation letter from the NHS. Participants attend three appointments over two years. If successful, the trial could transform early cancer detection in England.
The trial will visit:
- Bolton – Approx 3 May - 24 May
- Stockport – Approx 29 May - 14 June
- Tameside – Approx 17 June - 5 July
- Hulme – Approx 8 July -12 July
Cancer Awareness - Blood in Pee Campaign
Details from Katie Galvin, NHS Christie Foundation Trust
While many people know to be vigilant for cancer symptoms such as lumps, persistent coughs, fatigue and unexplained weight loss, not everyone realises that blood in your pee can be a sign of bladder or kidney cancer.
Both cancers can affect men or women and are usually more treatable if found early.
The 'Blood in Pee' campaign raises awareness of this and will be seen on buses throughout Greater Manchester, on posters and on social media. A radio advert will also be heard on stations across the region.#GMBloodinPee.
Virtual House - Helping Our Residents to Live Well
Details from Stockport Council
The vision for Stockport is for it to be one of the best places to age and stay well. Keeping people at the heart of what we do and promoting health, well-being, and independence.
On Monday, 29 April, Stockport Council launched the Virtual House, which allows residents to take a virtual tour of a house to find equipment and gadgets that will help them to live well and independently at home.
Thanks to Chris Hughes (Stockport Homes), Lizzie Austin and Ellie Unwin (Pure Innovations), Charlee Fitzgerald (Stockport Council), Ellen Brookes (NHS Pennine Foundations Trust) and more, who continue to send 'what's happening' across Stockport.
Foster Care Fortnight 2024
Details from Stockport Council
From Monday 13 May to Sunday 26 May Stockport Council are supporting Foster Care Fortnight. This is the Fostering Network's annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering and show how foster care transforms lives.
This year's theme is Fostering Moments. See below and visit Stockport Council's events page to find out what’s happening which includes events and drop in sessions:
Fostering and Supported Lodgings Information Sharing Event
15 May, 6pm - 7pm
Room 206, Stockport Town Hall, Edward Street, Stockport, SK1 3NG
Meet local foster carers, the fostering team and the supported lodgings team, find out more about fostering local children and young people in Stockport and learn about about the supported lodgings scheme.
Various Fostering Information Stands Across Stockport
Discover more about fostering with Stockport Council. Foster carers will be on hand to share their experiences, explain how to apply to become a foster carer, the different types of fostering, training/support offered and more.
Friday 17 May, 11am - 2pm
John Lewis Partnership, Cheadle Royal, Heald Green, Cheadle, SK8 3BZ
Saturday 18 May, 11am - 3pm
Vernon Park Fun day, Vernon Park, 91 Turncroft Lane, Stockport, SK1 4AR
Sunday 19 May, 10:30am - 3pm
Bramall Hall Duck Race, Bramall Hall, Bramhall, Stockport, SK7 3NX
Beacon Counselling is '40 years old' Events!
Details sent by Andy Callaghan, NHS Greater Manchester on behalf of Beacon Counselling
Beacon Counselling is celebrating 40 years of supporting the mental health and wellbeing of people in and around Stockport.
They're marking this milestone birthday with a calendar of events and activities, including their ‘We Are All Connected’ events during Mental Health Awareness week (13- 19 May).
To get involved, you can visit the team:
Everyday, from 13 - 19 May.
Pop-up Shop in Merseyway Shopping Centre, Stockport.
Stockport's Child Seat Checking Event
Details from Stockport Council
In partnership with Safer Roads Greater Manchester and Stockport Council, Good Egg Safety are running FREE child car seat checking events.
Two thirds of child seats we check across the UK are fitted incorrectly. Unfortunately, errors on seats are very easily made, but the great news is that they tend to be easy to fix.
Trained safety advisors can help you ensure your child is safely strapped in. It takes 5 minutes to get your car seat checked.
Friday 31 May, 10am - 3pm (drop by any time)
Asda Stockport, Warren Street, Stockport
Reminder: Learn About One Stockport Family Hubs
Details from Sarah Brown, Stockport Family Hubs, Stockport Council
One Stockport Family Hubs are support networks for children, young people, and families in local neighbourhoods. They provide a 'one-stop shop' for early help, public health, and broader universal support services.
Family Hubs work with families with children from birth until the age of 19, or up to 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Join One Stockport Family Hubs at an online Learning Circle on:
Wednesday, 22 May, 3pm – 4.30pm
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 335 845 816 698
Passcode: FsTvF8
Get Involved: Stockport's RESPECT (LGBTQ+) Event!
Details from Ashley Walker, RESPECT
The RESPECT Network is inviting the people and organisations of Stockport to join them in showcasing Stockport's unity, diversity and collective sense of community.
The team will be holding a 'We Are Stockport' event at Viaduct Park. They'll be taking group photos of those attending and everyone is encouraged to bring along banners, signs and placards with messages which highlight and or celebrate Stockport and its diversity.
4:30pm for refreshments, 6pm for the group photos
Viaduct Park, Stockport
See the attached flyer below
Signpost for Carers' Sleep Workshop
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The importance of sleep
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Identifying causes of sleep issues
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Good sleep practice
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Strategies to help you sleep
Tuesday 21 May, 6pm-8pm
The Heatons Centre, Heaton Moor, Stockport
Greenstock 2024!
Details from Laura Howarth, Stockport Council
Stockport's only 'Green' Community Fun Day is back! On Saturday 18 May Woodpark Park will be setting for Greenstock 2024.
Greenstock is all about celebrating Stockport’s communities and environment. It is organised by Stockport’s Green Network, which is open to all residents and community groups who are interested in climate and nature action
It will be a jam-packed day filled with food, music, stalls and activities for all ages. Activities include, making bug-hotels and bug hunts, seed planting, a laughter workshop, an Arabic cooking demo, climate conversations, nature connection, games, quizzes and more.
Saturday 18 May,1am - 3pm.
Woodbank Park, at Woodbank Community Food Hub
Make Stuff Events This May
Details from Perin Avari, MadLab
Make Stuff is Stockport’s festival of digital and creative exploration, powered by grassroots digital innovation organisation MadLab.
This May, you can make a Zine in Canva, sculpt in 3D with WOMP, learn the basics of 3D design with Introduction to Blender, and participate in the Make Stuff: Community Hackathon - Digital Art Edition (no coding experience required). There’s also Arduino workshops, Digital Marketing, plus lots of half-term events for mini-makers.
Visit www.makestuff.org.uk to check out the full line up!
Answer Cancer's Free training sessions
Details from Answer Cancer
Top up your knowledge and confidence so that you can help yourself, your family members, you work colleagues. All sessions are interactive, informative and online. You need to register to attend any of the sessions. You can join as many as you like.
Difficult Conversations- Talking about Cancer: The Why and How to do it
The session is around how to have conversations about cancer, including:
- why it’s important to talk about cancer
- how to do it using empathy and listening skills
To beat cancer, we need to talk about it. For many it’s still a challenging topic to bring up in conversation. This session is to help you feel more confident talking about cancer and other health conditions, so you can have more conversations that help save lives.
Tuesday 14 May, 11am-1pm. Click Link
Wednesday 5 June, 1pm-3pm. Click Link
Workplace wellbeing: Cancer and Cancer Screening
This interactive session will increase your knowledge and confidence about cancer and cancer screening, and the important role that workplaces have. It will discuss some of the most popular myths surrounding cancer and replace them with facts, especially the importance of early detection and cancer screening.
You will explore creative ways to start conversations and raise awareness across your workplaces. You will be shown useful resources to adapt or use, and given easy to remember ‘key messages’ to share.
Tuesday 11 June, 10am-11.30am. Click Link
Register for 'ask the expert' webinar on anxiety
Details from Ash Minchin, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
If you're interested in research into anxiety, you may wish to book onto a webinar with leading specialist, Professor Thalia Eley.
Thalia Eley is a Professor of Developmental Behavioural Genetics at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, and co-lead of the Genetic Links to Anxiety and Depression (GLAD) Study.
Professor Eley will take questions in a live ‘ask the expert’ event.
Wednesday 5 June, 7pm - 8pm
Guests must sign up in advance using the event registration form, where they can enter their question for the expert.
The event is hosted by the NIHR, a Department of Health and Social Care-funded organisation that works to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research.
Further Training Courses Coming Up
Details from Chris Hughes, Stockport Homes
Stockport Homes are running another free Skills for Life (SFL+) courses
GMCVO
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service
Fire safety advice for people living in flats and launch of smoking and fire safety campaign
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care
Integrated Care Partnership Update: 3 May 2024
Stockport Council
Information and Signposting
For up to date health and social care information, signposting and guidance call Healthwatch Stockport on
0161 974 0753 10am - 2pm or email info@healthwatchstockport.co.uk
Visit our Information and Signposting directory
Do you have a health or social care experience you want to share – how did your last appointment with your GP or dentist go? Are you happy or frustrated with the service you received – let us know so we can work with local services to influence better commissioners and better outcomes for you and your family.
