Healthwatch Round Up Thursday 16 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, local health and social care services, community groups and more. If you missed last week's, view it here
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Reminder: Please Share 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.
Please share with your family, friends and networks.
Healthwatch Articles You May Have Missed
Please see the latest news from us and Healthwatch England.
Digital health: the changing landscape of healthcare
From booking appointments to learning test results, healthcare is going digital. But what do patients think about digital healthcare? And where are there opportunities to improve?
Our response to warning that pharmacy closures are at record high levels
New analysis from the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents independent community pharmacies in the UK, has found the number of pharmacies closing this year is nearly 50 per cent higher compared to the same stage in 2023.
Read Healthwatch England's Response
Share Your Feedback: Secondary/Metastatic Cancer
Details from Gaynor Keane, Healthwatch Oldham
To understand how the Secondary Cancer Pathway meets the patients’ needs, Healthwatch Oldham are running a survey to hear from:
- People living with Secondary / Metastatic Cancer in Greater Manchester
- Professionals working with cancer patients
The survey will be open until 30 June.
Patient survey (approx. 10 mins to complete):
For anyone living with a secondary/metastatic cancer diagnosis in Greater Manchester. Family members/carers can complete this on their behalf (from their perspective).
Health Professionals survey (approx. 5-10 mins to complete)
For anyone working with secondary/metastatic cancer patients in Greater Manchester. Healthwatch Oldham want to understand your views on the pathway, what's working well and what could work better.
Next steps: There are plans the offer focus groups and 1-2-1s to gather more information. Further details to follow. Your feedback will enable Healthwatch Oldham will make recommendations to Healthcare Commissioners and Cancer Care Services to improve the care/support for Secondary / Metastatic Cancer patients.
Reminder: Increase in Childhood Infections
Details from Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership
Childhood infections like measles and whooping cough are rising, with outbreaks across the country. Such infections can have a huge impact on your child’s life.
It's important for parents to take up the NHS’ free childhood immunisation programme as soon as offered to ensure your child has the best protection.
However, if you or your child have missed a vaccine, it's not too late to check if you can catch up. Check your child’s Red Book or check with your GP.
See the Greater Manchester Integrated Care's article about Whooping Cough here, including the latest advice and the best time to get vaccinated,
Get Involved in NIHR's Alzheimer's study
Details from Ash Minchin, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
Join Dementia Research are looking for participants with early to mid stage stage Dementia to get involved in their research. The aim of the research is to build a digital version of the I-Can-Do volunteer service so those with Dementia can access this online. The service has been co-designed to support people with dementia to join local volunteer services with their strength and interests.
How it works:
There will be three consecutive focus group and workshop sessions. Over three sessions, people with Dementia and a wellbeing mentor will explore their strengths and interests, find out about volunteer services in their local area, and identify suitable volunteering opportunities based on their interests.
- They are looking for people age 18+ with early to mid-stage dementia and care partners.
- Must be able to travel to in-person workshops in Salford. £50 voucher for taking part.
Stop Loan Sharks Week 2024
Details from Stockport Council
Lending can have a bad reputation and cause people to feel a bit self conscious or embarrassed. A way to break this stigma is to talk about it. We can change the way we think about illegal lending and help people see they have other options.
If you or someone you know has been involved with a loan shark, contact Stop Loan Sharks England:
Helpline 0300 555 2222
Live chat www.stoploansharks.co.uk
Breast Screening Saves Lives
Details from Alison Whitelegg, Stockport Council
Invitations for breast screening have been sent out by letter to females aged 50 to 70, registered with Bramhall and Shaw Heath Medical Group.
Appointments are taking place from 13 May to 25 June on the breast screening mobile unit based at Shaw Heath.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and breast screening helps to spot it early, often when it’s too small to see or feel.
Don’t miss your appointment, it could save your life.
You can find out more about breast screening on the Healthy Stockport website.
Reminder: Breast Cancer Screening Survey
Details from Stockport Council
Stockport Council are keen to hear your views about the future of breast screening in Stockport. There is currently a mobile unit that visits; Shaw Heath, Bramhall, Brinnington, Marple and Romiley and they're looking into the possibility of having an additional breast screening site located in Stockport town centre.
Sarah Harding Mural: A tribute to Sarah Harding is the latest addition to Stockport’s street art trail. Sarah was a pupil at Hazel Grove High School and went on to achieve worldwide success with Girls Aloud. Her battle with breast cancer, during which she sought treatment at The Christie, is a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection.
Vernon Charitable Foundation
Details from Sector 3
As part of their commitment to giving back to local causes, in their centenary year, Vernon Building Society have launched the Vernon Charitable Foundation and applications are open.
The Foundation has over £100,000 to support local charities in Stockport, Cheshire, and Greater Manchester. Applications close 6pm, Friday 14 June
New Family Hubs in Stockport Town Centre
Details from Sarah Brown, Stockport Family Hubs, Stockport Council
Stockport Council and partners are expanding Family Hubs into central Stockport next week. This means more families can access information and help on all aspects of family life at a convenient local place in their community or the town centre.
To highlight this, they are holding information events next week where you can learn more about the early help, public health, and support services working together within One Stockport Family Hubs.
These events will also shed light on the support available for children and young people from pre-birth up to age 19, or 25 for young adults with special needs.
Learn more at: New Family Hubs in Stockport town centre - Stockport Council
- Stockport Council Stopford House, 20 May, 11am – 1pm
- Life Leisure Grand Central, 21 May, 11am – 1pm
- Stockport Homes Cornerstone, 22 May, 11am – 1pm
Members of our Healthwatch team will be joining the information events on 20 and 22 May, so we'll see you there!
Get Involved in Mastercall’s Patient Forums
Details from Kay Carter, Mastercall
Mastercall is a multi-award-winning Social Enterprise organisation, providing a range of ‘out of hospital’ healthcare services across the Northwest of England & Nationwide.
A big part of their remit is to gain feedback from patients as well their employees to ensure they continue to improve their services. They do this via surveys and feedback forms as well as patient forums - held in person at their Head Quarters in Hazel Grove, Stockport or online.
To show an interest in future patient forums, email qands.mastercall@nhs.net
Each forum is chaired by a key member of Mastercall's ‘My People’s Experience Committee.’ During the forum:
- Mastercall will provide a general overview of the organisation
- They'll provide an overview of how complaints are managed and the Patient Experience.
- You'll be encouraged to share your experiences, views, thoughts and ideas on how they can improve on what they're already doing.
A follow up ‘You Said, We Did’ is shared with the patients who attended each forum.
Spring Fete for Women & Women Led Organisations in Stockport
Details from Sector 3
Manchester based non-profit SIRENS are inviting women from Stockport’s community to get involved with their next SIRENS Social.
The May Social will be a Spring Fete in collaboration with PINK and made up of women showcasing their work from a wide variety of areas, fields, sectors, and industries via stalls, entertainment, performances, and food and drink.
They are looking for women and women-run organisations to join the event as “Feters” by running a stall, performing in the pageant, providing roaming entertainment, or just attending.
They are also looking for help with facilitation and catering from local businesses/organisations.
Thursday 23 May, 5pm-9pm
PINK, Hilton House, Lord Street, Stockport, SK1 3NA
To book your stall, join the fete entertainment or performances, help in any way, or have any questions, email at sirensenclave@gmail.com
Reminder: 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
Dementia Research Action Group - Launch Event
Details from Amal Morsi, Dementia United, NHS greater Manchester Integrated Care
There will be a Dementia Research Action Group – Our Network! (DRAGON) launch event on Tuesday 28 May at Gorton Monastery.
The event is for people living with Dementia and their carers who are interested in shaping Dementia research across Greater Manchester.
Event highlights include:
- Keynote Speakers: Dr Karan Jutlla (Cultural inclusivity in Dementia care) and John Hammond (Improving Dementia services for LGBTQ+ people)
- A range of different research, community engagement and support opportunities through talks, interactive stalls and networking sessions
- A visit from Liverpool Museum’s House of Memories, the first-ever immersive mobile museum experience in the UK, especially designed for people living with Dementia
Worry Management Workshops
Details from Amelia Bradley, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
If you haven't booked onto a Worry Management Workshop, there are two dates coming up very soon. The next two sessions will be on 20 May and 3 June.
Sessions are run in partnership with Age UK and Stockport Homes and are for adults experiencing symptoms of low mood or anxiety.
Some of the topics / techniques you will learn on the course include:
- Understanding the symptoms of worry and how it is maintained
- Problem solving and time management
- Increasing coping abilities and resilience
- How to challenge negative thoughts and reduce worry.
Stockport Homes Sheltered Housing Scheme (lounge area of Oaktree Court), Cheadle, SK8 1EZ.
See the attached flyer below for more details including contact details.
Reminder: '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 (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 and additonal training opportunities across the area:
Princes Trust
A fantastic opportunities for 16-30-year-olds to get involved in. Courses are free and give young people the tools to build confidence, find a job or start their own business. Read on to find out more and get in touch.
Upcoming courses from The Prince's Trust (princes-trust-digital.co.uk)
Answer Cancer
Answer Cancer March Update! (answercancergm.org.uk)
GMCVO
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service
Fire safety advice for people living in flats and launch of smoking and fire safety campaign
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.
