Healthwatch Round Up Thursday 20 June 2024
New Videos Explain Who We Are And What We Do
Do you have questions about what Healthwatch does? Want to know what we do with your feedback, or how you can help improve local health and social care services? Watch our videos to find out.
Click the links to view – ‘How Healthwatch can help you with health advice and information’ and ‘How sharing your healthcare experiences can help everyone’. These are available on the Healthwatch's YouTube channel.
Who are Healthwatch? BSL subtitles
How Healthwatch can help you find health advice and information - BSL subtitles
Making it Real Conference: Bookings Now Open!
Together with Stockport Council, we’ll be hosting our ‘Making it Real’ Conference on Wednesday 31 July, and bookings are now open!
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear the results of our research into people's experiences of adult social care in Stockport. We'll be shining the spotlight on the Making it Real Board and how our local community is working in partnership with the council to shape the future of social care.
Following on from our Healthwatch Network Event in February, we’ll share our work priorities for 2024-2025 (what we’ll be focusing on) in response to what you told us. You said, we’re doing!
Book directly with the Healthwatch Stockport team today:
31 July 12pm – 3:30pm
Stockport Masonic Guildhall, 169 Wellington Rd South, SK1 3UA
0161 974 0753
info@healthwatchstockport.co.uk (subject header: Making it Real Conference)
Please let us know your dietary and /or special access requirements when you book
What is the Making it Real Board?
Stockport's Making it Real Board unites people with lived experience of using adult social services in Stockport. The Board works together to help improve the lives and experiences of people who use adult social care services in Stockport. They listen to individuals, family members and carers to make sure we understand what’s important to them, also ensuring their voice is at the centre of everything we do.
The Making it Real Board is looking for new members!
To get involved, email richard.currie@stockport.gov.uk.
Please use the attached poster to print and/or share
New Deputy Chief Executive for NHS Greater Manchester Appointed
Message from NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Board
Colin Scales will be joining early autumn. Colin is currently CEO at Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, a position held for the last nine years. He also holds the roles of Chair of the Cheshire and Merseyside People Board, Lead CEO for the Cheshire and Merseyside Virtual Ward Programme, Honorary Professor at the University of Central Lancashire, and member of the Cheshire and Merseyside Mental Health/Community Provider Collaborative (since 2021).
Colin started his career here in GM as a commissioning officer in Bolton and, over the time since then, he has been Board Member and Vice Chair at the NW Leadership Academy (2016-2022), Operational Lead for Out of Hospital COVID Emergency Response Cell (2020-2022), COO at Bridgewater Community Healthcare (2012-2015), Deputy CEO at Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals (2010-2012), Executive Director of Commissioning at NHS Oldham (2007-2010) and COO at Lancashire Teaching Hospital (2003-2007).
As his credentials clearly show, Colin is bringing with him a wealth of board level experience within complex regulatory environments for over 15 years, and he will be a true asset to NHS Greater Manchester playing a pivotal role leading the delivery of our strategy and day-to-day running of the ICB. I am extremely looking forward to welcoming Colin back to where it all began for him here in GM and working with him as the newest member of our exec team.
We will keep you updated as and when Colin’s start date has been confirmed and, of course, will make sure there are plenty of opportunities for you to meet Colin. In the meantime, Colin has asked me to share this message with you all:
“It really is an honour to have been offered the position of Deputy Chief Executive for NHS GM. Bridgewater has been a very big part of my life and the decision to move on has been a difficult one, but it does feel like I’ve come full circle to have started my career in Bolton and now stepping into this role. The people behind Greater Manchester’s health and care system are the history makers leading the way with partnership working, laying the foundations for integrated care systems across the country and I cannot wait to join you and play my part in providing the highest standard of health and care services for the people of Greater Manchester.”
Chief Executive for Stockport Council
Email issued by Stockport Council
I am pleased to let you all know that Michael Cullen, the current Deputy Chief Executive has been recommended as the preferred candidate for the role as Chief Executive of Stockport Council. Following a rigorous selection process, the Council’s Appointments Committee will now be making its recommendation to the Extraordinary Council Meeting on Thursday 20 June 2024 and the appointment will be confirmed then.
I would like to pass on my congratulations to Michael and I am very much looking forward to working with him when he takes on the role.
Michael Cullen said: “I’ve had the privilege of being part of Team Stockport for nearly 18 years, so to be offered the opportunity to be Stockport’s Chief Executive is an honour and a privilege, and I cannot wait to get started. To succeed Caroline, a dear friend and colleague, means we can continue to build on the legacy she leaves and work even closer with the GMCA in the future.
2024 has been a fantastic year for Stockport so far. There’s a buzz in the air, and I am excited to take this pivotal role for the council, working with councillors, partners, businesses, communities, and colleagues to deliver for our residents.
I want to build on our recent accolades, such as being the Sunday Times Best Place to live in the North West, by continuing with our ambitious plans for the future, building on the fantastic work that has already been delivered and going one step further to make Stockport not just the best place to live in the North West, but the best place to live in the country.”
On behalf of everyone at the Council I would like to thank Caroline for her hard work and dedication and wish her the best of luck in her role at GMCA.
New Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance Campaign
Message from Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance
The new campaign raises awareness of gullet cancer (also known as oesophageal cancer) and encourages the public to visit their doctor when they get potential symptoms and not to self-medicine with over-the-counter pharmacy medicine. The campaign is particularly aimed at men aged 55+ who are more likely to get gullet cancer, and launched with #MensHealthWeek (10-16 June).
While many know to be vigilant for cancer symptoms such as lumps, persistent coughs, not everyone realises that heartburn or indigestion which lasts for 3 weeks or more can be a sign of gullet cancer.
Billboards, digital advertising and adverts on pharmacy bags are now live in parts of Greater Manchester along with radio advertising and posters for GP surgeries, community organisations and libraries. #DontIgnoreTheBurn
Cervical Cancer Screening Awareness
Details from Stockport Council
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers but screening can help stop it before it starts. In England, all women and people with a cervix aged 25-64 are eligible for screening. Don’t ignore your cervical screening invite and if you missed your last one book an appointment with your GP practice now.
Find out more - Breast cancer, bowel cancer and cervical screening - Healthy Stockport
NHS Greater Manchester – Think Pharmacy First Videos
Details from NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board
A set of YouTube videos have been released supporting the Pharmacy First campaign – encouraging Greater Manchester residents to attend their local pharmacy for seven common conditions. By expanding the services community pharmacies offer, the NHS is aiming to free up GP appointments and give people more choice in how and where they get care.
The videos feature Tom, a Chorlton pharmacist, highlighting how easy it is to use Pharmacy First. Please share the videos on your platforms:
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 RELAX Study
Details from Ash Minchin, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
NIHR are looking for pregnant women to take part in their new RELAX research. RELAX is short for ‘REducing Levels of AnXiety’ in pregnancy and after birth and is a study to find ways to reduce worry and anxiety in pregnant women and new mothers.
- The RELAX study is testing a new online training for pregnant women who worry.
- The training aims to reduce worry and anxiety before and after birth.
- We already know that this type of training reduces worry and anxiety in non-pregnant people.
- The study will find out whether the RELAX training helps to reduce anxiety in pregnant women and new mothers.
- 12 online sessions, to be completed over four weeks.
- Each session takes about 20 minutes.
- Sessions involve listening to short scenarios, imagining how the scenario may turn out and answering some questions.
- You will be able to view your progress as you go along.
- You must be aged 18 years or older, 15 to 28 weeks pregnant
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.
Chosen by patients, carers, families, or partners, our community choice award recognises a fantastic team/individual who makes a difference. They’ll go above and beyond to make sure 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.
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
Seashell's Parent & Carer Wellbeing Workshop
Age UK Confidence Exercise Class
Details from Age UK Stockport
Age UK Stockport together with Life Leisure, are running a Confidence Class for all abilities. The classes are inspired by their hugely successful confidence walks, which focus on everyday movements to improve strength, stability and general fitness. No need to book.
Tuesdays 10am - 11am
Free confidence class will be held at Life Leisure Houldsworth Village, Broadstone Rd, Reddish SK5 7AT
Earn, Save and Connect Community Event
Details from Stockport Council
On 3 July, Stockport Council will be holding a community day focused on earning, saving, and connecting. You'll be able to enjoy the various stalls offering employment and voluntary opportunities, energy advice, and interactive workshops on money matters, CV writing, and digital skills.
You too can, learn about careers in education, get advice from Stockport Homes, Working Wardrobes, and Smartworks.
3 July, 11am - 2pm
Daw Bank, Stockport
See the attached poster for further details
Digital Skills Workshops
Details from AGE UK Stockport
Would you like to enhance your digital skills using Microsoft applications - Excel and Word? AGE UK Stockport are holding free digital skills workshop:
Friday 12 July 10am - 12pm
Age UK Stockport Hub, 2 Castle Street, Edgeley, SK3 9AB.
This is a four week course being run by a tutor from Stockport College
Please bring your own laptop (if you don't have one, the Hub have a limited number they can loan).
Places are limited, so book:
AGE UK Stockport also have digital drop ins at the Hub on Mondays and Wednesdays (12 - 2pm) and Thursday 10.30am - 12.30pm. We also have a regular Thursday Information and Advice drop in 10am - 2pm.
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.
Welcome to this week's Healthwatch Stockport Information Round-up (IRU).
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