Healthwatch Round Up - 1 August 2024
Welcome to this week's Healthwatch Stockport Information Round-up (IRU).
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Big Thanks: Making it Real Conference
It has been an extra busy week… on Wednesday 31 July we hosted our Making It Real Conference in partnership with Stockport Council's Adult Social Care Team and Making it Real Board!
The event was booked out with over 90 of you joining us hear our work priorities for 2024/2025, the impact and influence of Healthwatch, key developments from our Making it Real Board as well as the fantastic work taking place in collaboration with the local community.
Thanks to all who came along and for helping to make it a great success, including our key speakers: William Pett (Healthwatch England), Sarah Dillon, Director of Adult Social Care), Richard Currie and Hannah Cummins (Making It Real Board), Sarah Newsam (Strategy for Change), our own Chief Officer; Maria Kildunne (Healthwatch Stockport) with support from Stockport's fellow Partnerships and Board Co-Chairs.
We'll share more about the event soon so watch this space!
Work With Us at Healthwatch Stockport
We're looking for a dedicated Communications & Volunteer Coordinator for Healthwatch Stockport. Could this be you?
You will lead our communications strategy, coordinate members and volunteers, and engage our local communities. Your work will drive positive changes in Stockport's health and social care services.
If you have a passion for communications, volunteer management, and making a positive impact in health and social care, we want to hear from you!
View the job profile and apply here
Have Your Say: Are You Getting The Eye Care You Need?
Details from Healthwatch England
Healthy vision is something many of us take for granted – until there's a problem. An estimated 50% of sight loss is avoidable. That's why people must be able to have their eyesight tested regularly and, if there is a problem, get the help they need.
Healthwatch across England are trying to gather as many experiences as possible from people who’ve used NHS eye care services recently. We’re especially keen to hear from:
- People from South Asian, Black African and Black Caribbean backgrounds.
- People from lower-income households.
- People waiting for secondary care.
Every response we get will help shape eye care services and improve people’s care.
Healthwatch Articles You May Have Missed
Please see the latest news from us and Healthwatch England.
Who are Physicians and what do they do?
Since 2003, they've been caring for NHS patients. Physician associates can check your health, request tests to help find out what's wrong, and work with doctors to plan your treatment.
With the NHS planning to employ more physician associates, find out what care they can offer you and how their role differs from that of doctors.
Up to 1.5 million disabled people could be missing out on social care support
A poll of 1,504 working-age disabled adults found that 28% have never accessed social care or other support despite potentially being eligible. We call for a fully funded, long-term plan to reform social care.
Accessible Activities Booklet
Following feedback from the Stockport Advocacy Learning Disability Conference, we have produced an 'Accessible Activities' booklet, which contains some of the local exercise activities available. This booklet is not an exhaustive list and can be added to, to ensure it's relevant and informative for those who need it.
Get involved in ‘An NHS Fit for the Future’
Details from Andy Callaghan, NHS Greater Manchester
NHS Greater Manchester (GM) is inviting GM residents to share their views in a public engagement exercise ‘An NHS Fit for the Future’, which will run until Autumn.
We want to create an NHS that is fit for the future for all GM residents, families and communities and focuses on improving people’s health and wellbeing. This programme will take the public on the journey with NHS GM towards achieving their population health, performance and financial goals; to give stakeholders and communities the opportunity to tell them what is important to you and what they should prioritise, and to increase awareness and understanding of the challenges they face. Watch this space!
Find out more about Fit for the Future and get involved, visit the NHS GM website.
Urgent Blood Donor Appeal
Details from NHS
The NHS needs your help now more than ever to keep providing lifesaving blood. They've issued an amber alert to hospitals restricting the use of O positive and O negative blood, as those blood groups are currently under the most pressure.
With over 12,000 appointments to fill in donor centres over the next two weeks, register and book an appointment to donate.
O negative and O positive: Stocks of your blood type are critically low. Please book and keep your appointment to donate as soon as possible.
All other blood types: Please book and keep your appointment, even if it's a few weeks away - your donation will be just as valuable then.
Log in to book an appointment and find the best availability in your area. Stockport Guildhall will also be hosting the Blood Donation team on 3 and 25 August. Book using the above link.
Find other local donation centres (you may enter a queue to visit the page)
New Health App Supports People To Live Well With And After Cancer
Details from Katie Galvin, Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance
ORCHA – a new health app has been launched to support people across Greater Manchester to live well with and after cancer.
Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, part of the NHS, and ORCHA, the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps, which reviews health apps for the NHS, have worked together on the new app library.
Read about the new app library.
NHS And ASDA Launch Cancer Awareness Messages on Products
Details from Katie Galvin, Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance
NHS England and Asda have partnered to put vital mouth cancer awareness messaging on own brand toothpaste and mouth wash packaging. This is to encourage shoppers to be body aware and contact their GP or dental practice with any potential cancer symptoms.
Striving For Smoke-Free Pregnancies
Details from Greater Manchester and Eastern Cheshire Strategic Clinical Networks
According to NHS Digital, fewer than 8 in 100 people (7.7% in total) in Greater Manchester smoked during pregnancy between April 2023 to March 2024. A further drop for the sixth consecutive year!
This decrease from 9.4% in 2022-23 brings Greater Manchester closer to the England average of 7.4% and the national ambition set by NHS England of 6% or less. This means 600 more smoke-free babies were born.
The reduction is due to Greater Manchester’s Smokefree Pregnancy programme, launched in 2018, which works closely with the Maternity Network, to make smoking history. It aims to tackle health inequalities, improve health and wellbeing, and ultimately save babies’ lives.
Diabetes Network Launch Priorities for 2024/2025
Details from Greater Manchester and Eastern Cheshire Strategic Clinical Networks
The Greater Manchester Diabetes Network team has started to introduce stakeholders to its programme of work for 2024-25. ‘Tackling Diabetes Together Greater Manchester Diabetes Strategy’.
Have Your Say: Save the Winter Fuel Payment
Details from Age UK
The Government has announced that they are cutting the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners not on Pension Credit and a handful of other means tested benefits in England and Wales.
Age UK believes as many as 2 million older people will be badly affected: those on low incomes who just miss out on Pension Credit, and others with high energy needs because of disability or illness, as well as 800,000 people who don’t receive Pension Credit for which they're eligible.
To sign the Age UK petition to save the winter fuel payment:
You can check if you are eligible for Pension Credit and how to apply on the Age UK website
Age UK free Advice Line: 0800 169 65 65 or Age UK Stockport: 0161 477 1213
Have Your Say: Cervical Screening in Ethnically Diverse Groups
Details from Anya Webber, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Are you eligible for cervical screening (now or in the future), identify as Asian, Black or another ethnically diverse group and are 18 years old or over? The University of Manchester researchers are conducting a survey on different ways to perform cervical screening.
To get involved and complete the survey
Get Involved: Seeking Mothers With Young Children For Online Discussion
The University of Manchester is seeking mothers with young children at home to join an online discussion about breast cancer risk, healthy living, and family support.
The discussion aims to gather opinions on how family dynamics, including the involvement of children, can support mothers at risk of breast cancer in adopting healthier lifestyles. Participants will receive £50 for their time.
Thursday, 22 August (6-8pm) via Zoom
Eligibility:
- Mothers with at least one child under 18 living at home
- At increased risk of breast cancer and have attended a family history clinic
- No personal experience of breast cancer
To take part, or you have any questions, contact Issy McGregor
Increase in Childhood Infections Prompts Vaccine Call
Details from Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership
Childhood infections like whooping cough are still rising, with outbreaks across the country. 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.
Macmillan Buddy Service
Details from GM Aging Hub provided by Jan Gardiner, Healthwatch member
Macmillan’s free buddy service has availability for referrals! The service matches people living with cancer to a volunteer buddy who understands what they’re going through. The volunteer will be a listening ear, support their needs, signpost them to other support in the community. Or, if needed, possibly help with some tasks around the home.
Support is usually for up to 12 sessions (via weekly calls, video call or home visits) and available in multiple different languages.
Contact vsnorth@macmillan.org.uk with any questions.
find out more about the Macmillan Buddy Service.
Stop Loan Sharks - Over 55s Online Support Session
Details from GM Aging Hub
The England Illegal Money Lending Team have launched a campaign aimed at those aged 55+. The national team cracks down on loan sharks an provides support for victims and survivors of illegal money lending.
The team is offering a free, 1-hour training session via Teams that'll cover everything people need to know about the dangers of borrowing from loan sharks.
To find out more and sign up, email wendy.loades@birmingham.gov.uk.
New Speech And Language Therapy
Details from Stockport SEND
Children’s speech and language therapy services in Stockport are changing in response to consultations with parents and carers. These changes will start in September 2024.
They are introducing a well established framework called ‘The Balanced System’ to help them work together with families and other partners (e.g. health visitors, early years setting and school staff) to support children’s speech, language, and communication skills.
The Balanced System can help children who need support at different levels -universal, targeted, and specialist. More details to follow.
Funding: Support For Deaf And Disabled People
Details from the GMCVO (Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation)
The deadline to apply for an Inclusion grant to support d/Deaf and Disabled people is 12 noon, Monday 12 August.
The GMCVO are seeking applications from voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations in Greater Manchester. They expect to fund six organisations with grants of between £7.5k - £15k to develop 9-12 month projects that will raise awareness of, and lead to change in the way that services, policies, practices, activities and events are created for d/Deaf and disabled people. D/deaf and/or disabled people must be involved in all stages of the development and delivery of projects.
Find out more and apply, please visit our website.
Cost of Living Support for Stockport Families
Details from Stockport Council
Cost of Living is a huge issue for many families in Stockport. Friendly support with benefits, debt, welfare advice, managing bills and financial support for families is available at the local One Stockport Family Hubs and online Family Hub.
Family Support Voucher scheme
This has been relaunched this year. Vouchers are £105 per eligible child and offer crucial suppor.
Visit the website newsroom
Residents with queries about their voucher can visit stockport.gov.uk/voucher.
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF)
Stockport children in receipt of income-based free school meals are once again eligible to access free Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) clubs during the upcoming summer holidays.
Visit the HAF webpage.
If you have questions or your child doesn't receive free school meals but you need to access a funded place, email the HAF team on HAF@Stockport.gov.uk.
School Uniform Scheme to Support Families
Details from Stockport Council
You can still donate pre-loved good condition uniforms to the School Uniforms For All scheme to make uniforms available to families across the borough. Drop off points are as follows:
- Any of Stockport’s 16 libraries
- Bredbury or Reddish Morrisons
- Disability Stockport, 23 High Street, SK1 1EG
- Age UK Stockport, Commonweal, 56 Wellington St, SK1 3AQ
- Stockport Signpost for Carers, The Heatons Centre, Thornfield Road, SK4 3LD
- Merseyway: a donation bin is in place until 5 August outside Specsavers
Get Involved: Let's Explore Our Great Outdoors
Details from Stockport Council, provided By Chris Hughes of Stockport Homes
Coinciding with Love Parks week, the ‘Let’s Explore Our Great Outdoors’ initiative aims to encourage people to go outdoors and explore their area.
One Stockport has a whole host of information about places to go and information on events happening across the borough. The launch video shows a number of individuals and groups enjoying our parks and open spaces.
Stockport Mental Health Network
Details from Ellen Brookes, NHS Foundation Trust
The Stockport Mental Health Network is designed for people who've been with or are currently with secondary mental health services. Their aim is to help you become more confident, increase resilience and your social networks. This includes community based activities, volunteering opportunities, peer support and green space activities. See the flyer attached for details.
Have Your Say: Stockport Family Hubs Survey
Details from Sarah Burke, Stockport Council
Stockport Council and partners are keen to find out what families in Stockport have learned so far about Family Hubs and their services. Please encourage families to complete the short online survey by 14 August to be entered into a free draw to win a £30 Love to Shop voucher!
Friday Club: New Monthly Drop In Sessions
Details from Charlee Fitzgerald
Friday 9 August
Bridgehall Community Centre, 11am - 12:45pm
Adswood Community Centre, 1:30pm - 3:15pm
Friday 13th September
Bridgehall Community Centre, 11am - 12:45pm
Adswood Community Centre, 1:30pm - 3:15pm
Light Cinema Relaxed Screenings
Details from Manchester Occupational Therapy Services Ltd
Wave of Change
Details from Sarah O'Brien, Goodness Collective CIC
The Goodness Collective CIC are bringing women who are not currently working in Stockport more events to allow the time, space and support. Please see the flyer for their latest event.
Further Events & Community Activities across the Borough
Complex Disabilities in Sport Workshop
Details from Sector 3
This workshop is for sports and physical activity coaches and instructors who:
- currently deliver inclusive activities, and would like to know more about working with people with complex disabilities, and
- those who do not yet deliver inclusive activities, but would like to get started
If you're a parent, carer or teacher, get in touch to discuss the training and support available.
Thursday 15 August, 9.30am - 12.30pm
Seashell Trust, Stanley Road, Cheadle Hulme, Heald Green, Cheshire SK8 6RQ
Further Training Courses Coming Up
Details from Chris Hughes, Stockport Homes
There are a variety of training course available from Skills For Life (SFL) and others. Please see the attachments below:
Starting Point Bulletin
Digital Champion Update - 29th July 2024 (campaign-archive.com)
Stockport Council Review
Review Extra 26.07.24 (stockport-council.co.uk)
GMCVO Bulletin
News and resources for social enterprises (eBulletin July 2024) (gmcvo.org.uk)
GMCVO monthly eBulletin - July 2024
Sector 3 Bulletin
Greater Manchester Ethnic Communities Newsletter
GM Ethnic Communities Network Newsletter, July 2024 (gmcvo.org.uk)
Prince's Trust Update
Upcoming courses from The Prince's Trust (princes-trust-digital.co.uk)
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.
