Healthwatch Round Up Thursday 23 May 2024
Welcome to this week's Healthwatch Stockport Information Round-up (IRU).
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Reminder - please note that there will be no 'Round Up' week, commencing 27 May. We'll be back with news, information and more on week commencing 3 June. However, please enjoy the 'Round Up for this week!
Healthwatch Stockport: Out & About
It has been another busy week for the team. We've supported the launch of the Family Hub at Stopford House by holding an information stand alongside other fantastic organisations, Shirley has been involved with the Making it Real Board, Claire and our members have been carrying our 'Enter & Views' (see below) and Maria attended the prestigious 'Stockport Rocks' awards - massive congrats to the winners and nominees!
Listening to Stockport's patients
Over recent weeks, we've been running Enter and View sessions at Stepping Hill hospital. If you don't know what these sessions are, read on and check out our website page.
Healthwatch Stockport has the legal powers to "enter & view" Health and Social Care providers to observe matters relating to health and social care services. This enables authorised representatives to visit any publicly funded health and social care service in Stockport or in other areas where Stockport residents may go to receive care.
We listen to patients' experiences, observe the site, and make recommendations for improvements.
Healthwatch Articles You May Have Missed
Please see the latest news from us and Healthwatch England.
Looking beyond the NHS Constitution to a meaningful Patient Promise
Launching the NHS Constitution in 2009, then Health Secretary Alan Johnson claimed the public would have, for the first time, “a clear, concise definition of their rights and responsibilities brought together in one place”.
If acted upon, the NHS Constitution has the power to shape NHS culture, providing direction to services on where to focus their efforts based on what the public expects.
Read the full article to see Healthwatch England's response and how this will improve care
Reminder: Have Your Say About Secondary/Metastatic Cancer Care
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 Letters to Extend Child Benefit
Details from One Stcokport
Parents will receive reminders from this week to extend Child Benefit for their teenagers if they are continuing their education or training after their GCSEs.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is sending Child Benefit reconfirmation letters to parents between 24 May and 17 July. The letters will include a QR code which, when scanned, directs them straight to GOV.UK to update their claim easily online. Payments will automatically stop on 31 August on or after the child has turned 16 unless parents renew their claim where their child is continuing in education.
If their 16 to 19 year-old intends to continue in approved education/training, parents can use the online service on GOV.UK or the HMRC app so they do not miss out.
Have Your Say: IVF Cycles
Details from Greater Manchester Integrated Care
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is something that can help people with fertility problems who may find it harder to get pregnant. Each try of IVF is known as an IVF cycle.
NHS Greater Manchester is reviewing the number of times people can access NHS funded IVF treatment across Greater Manchester. They'd like to make access to IVF treatment fair across Greater Manchester. This means that wherever you live in Greater Manchester you'll be able to have the same number of IVF cycles.
To share your thoughts and feedback, you can:
Complete the survey online. The survey can be downloaded and printed. If you'd like a printed version, email gmhscp.engagement@nhs.net
Share your thoughts via WhatsApp at 07786 673762
Have your say by Sunday 9 June.
Diabetes Type 2 - Know Your Risk!
Details from Greater Manchester Integrated Care
This week has been Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week - a joint campaign to raise awareness of the risks whilst helping you to 'know your risk' so you better avoid it.
Type 2 diabetes can be a very serious condition. The good news is that you can significantly reduce your risk by making small lifestyle changes with support from your local Healthier You programme. Find out your risk – it could be the most important thing you do today.
Have Your Say: 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.
Mental Health Support During Exam Time
Details from Greater Manchester Integrated Care
Exam season has begun, and it’s normal for young people to feel worried. Anxiety can also affect parents and carers.
Kooth offers free, safe, anonymous online support for Greater Manchester students aged 11-18. Qwell offers free online support for those over 18. Helpful exam tips and advice can also be found on the NHS website.
Get Involved: Nominations Open for Pennine Care People Awards
Details from Ellen Brookes, Pennine NHS Foundation Trust
Nominations for the Pennine Care People Awards are officially open! Pennine are keen to encourage nominations for their Community Choice category.
Award criteria: Chosen by patients, carers, families, or partners, our community choice award recognises a fantastic team or individual who really makes a difference. They’ll go above and beyond to make sure our services are the best they can be, always treating everyone with kindness and respect.
To nominate, click on the links below:
Top tips for a good nomination
The deadline is midnight on Friday 12 July 2024. Good luck with your nominations.
Submission support and adjustments
If you need any support or reasonable adjustments to submit your nomination:
pcn.tr.EqualityDiversityInclusion@nhs.net or communications.penninecare@nhs.net or
0161 716 3562 / 07517 581 019.
A Focus On: Stockport Race Equality Partnership
Details from the Greater Manchester Ethnic Communities Network
The Greater Manchester Ethnic Communities Network (GMECN) has shared a ‘Focus On…’ Aba Graham and Solomon Onaolapo from Stockport Race Equality Partnership (S-REP).
"S-REP are based in the heart of Stockport town centre at The Space community hub on St. Petersgate. Aba and Solomon run S-REP alongside their fellow Director Nadeem Ahmed.
S-REP provide support for Stockport’s Ethnically Diverse Communities (EDC). They were founded in 2017 in response to a national audit that found that children from ‘BME’ backgrounds were significantly falling behind their White British peers in Key Stage 2 Maths and English.
Since then S-REP have delivered a programme of inclusive activities focusing on addressing the employment and education disparities facing Black, Asian and other ethnically diverse communities in Stockport."
Have Your Say on proposals for New Stockport Town Centre Residential Design
Message from Stockport Council
A consultation has been launched on the proposed Stockport Town Centre Residential Design Guide. The consultation will run until Wednesday 3 July.
Stockport Town Centre continues to go through a period of change and growth. At the heart of this transformation are ambitious plans to increase and enhance the town centre residential offer.
To make sure high-quality and sustainable residential growth takes place, we must clearly outline our design expectations. The Stockport Town Centre Residential Design Guide sets out the council’s design expectations for this area of the borough.
The council has prepared the guide to align with their ambitions for Stockport, working with industry experts to ensure high quality, achievable recommendations for the future of our Town Centre.
The proposed design guide and supporting documents are available on the council’s website:
https://consultation.stockport.gov.uk/planning/stockport-town-centre-residential-design-guide
You can also find copies of the guide at the following locations during staffed hours:
Reception, Stopford House, Piccadilly, Stockport, SK1 3XE (Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm, Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm);
Central Library, Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK1 3RS (opening times available here: https://www.stockport.gov.uk/directories/entry/libraries/central-library).
You can respond to the consultation by 3 July by:
https://consultation.stockport.gov.uk/planning/stockport-town-centre-residential-design-guide;
planning.policy@stockport.gov.uk;
Stockport Council, Planning Policy, Stopford House, Piccadilly, Stockport, SK1 3XE.
For more information, contact the Planning Policy team by:
Changes to Adult Learning Disability Referral Process
Details from Jonathan Holt Davey, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
The Adult Community Learning Disability Health Team is changing its referral process/pathway. Please see the attached new referral form, which includes details of how to refer. If you have a Learning Disability or you support or care for someone who does, you can refer using the form.
Once you have completed and sent the form, the referral will be reviewed by the Community Team for Learning Disabilities to determine suitable criteria and priority.
Smart Works Charity: Supporting Women to Reach Their Potential
Message from Smart Works, sent by Lizzie Austin
With the bank-holiday fast approaching, please remember to contact the team to refer any women you are supporting, who have an upcoming job interview.
The office will be closed for appointments on 27 May but the team will be available for the rest of next week to support the clients!
You can refer in three ways …
greatermanchester@smartworks.org.uk
https://smartworks.org.uk/refer/ (online referral form)
If referring by email, please state the appointment type (Career Coaching or Interview Clothing & Coaching if your client has an interview) along with the date of the interview.
Talking Tech With Walthew House
Details from Walthew House
Retina UK are hosting an online ‘Talking’ Tech Peer Support Group. This group provides a welcoming opportunity for people to meet up to share experiences, tips and information.
Next meeting: Tuesday 11 June, 7pm – 8pm
online via Zoom (will be recorded and the audio only uploaded to our You Tube channel)
They will be welcoming back Mo & Omar Iqbal from Taira Technology, who'll give an overview of the products and services available to assist people with sight loss.
Taira Technology are a family run business. Mo, lost his sight a few months after he was born. As he was growing up Mo struggled to use technology and the support available to blind and partially sighted people was very poor. They realised how much support was needed in the visually impaired community. Mo’s brother Omar completed a first-class degree in Computer Science to further his knowledge.
Their mother Taira is a true inspiration to them and encouraged and inspired them to set up a business. This is why they have named the company after her.
Further Stockport Borough Events
We've included a variety of events and community groups/activities below:
Stockport Pride: Join in the celebrations of Stockport's LGBTQ+ Community as Stockport Pride takes place on 2 June at the Market Place. The Stockport Pride 2024 Parade will be setting off from the Underbanks at noon and there will be a whole host of events, performers, activities and more.
Job Opportunity: Healthwatch Rochdale - Community Engagement Project worker
Details from Healthwatch Rochdale
Interested in Health and social care? Do you love talking to people? Hearing people’s personal experiences? Making a difference? If so, this new role could be for you?
Healthwatch Rochdale are recruiting a part time Community Engagement Project worker.
In this role you'll engage with diverse communities to increase their involvement with Health and Social Care consultations in Rochdale, obtain feedback about Health and Social Care, promote Healthwatch Rochdale (HWR) activities, projects and events and so much more.
Details of the role are included in the Community engagement project worker Job Description and Role Specification.
Closing Date- 5pm, Friday 7 June
Interviews will be held at Healthwatch Rochdale on 19 June.
How do I apply
Please send your CV and monitoring form to:
info@healthwatchrochdale.org.uk or by post:
FREEPOST Healthwatch Rochdale
No. 2 The Esplanade
Second Floor, Suite 5
Rochdale, OL16 1AE
For information, contact Naomi Burke on 01706 249 575
Job Opportunity: Supportability - Senior Support Worker (Practice Lead)
Details from Supportability
Are you an outstanding support worker looking for career progression? Is it important to you to enhance the lives of others? This newly created full time role of 'Senior Support Worker' may be exactly what you're looking for to make those next steps on your career ladder.
The Practice Lead will be responsible for ensuring we provide the highest quality of support, positive culture and personal values. You'll enable support workers to develop their support skills by embedding and modelling Active Support, observing their practice and providing them with coaching and mentoring.
Please submit your CV and a covering letter to HR@supportability.org.uk
Delirium Workshop for Family Members
Details from Helen Pratt, Dementia United, NHS Greater Manchester
Dementia United, in partnership with the African Caribbean Care Group, and alongside carers with lived experience, are delivering a free delirium training workshop, for family members.
The training will cover:
- What delirium is
- How to identify delirium - look out for the signs
- How to prevent delirium
- Getting help when you need it
- How to manage delirium
The workshop will take place in person:
Wednesday 12 June, 12:30 – 4pm.
African Caribbean Care Group, Claremont Centre, 2 Jarvis Road, Manchester, M15 5FS
How to book on:
gmhscp.dementiaunited@nhs.net Please book early, as places are limited!
For any questions, email gmhscp.dementiaunited@nhs.net.
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:
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.
