Healthwatch Round Up - 28 November 2024

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Feedback centre (on our website)

0161 974 0753 or text 078710 89100 (text service only)

info@healthwatchstockport.co.uk

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Change NHS: Have Your Say in Their Survey

Details from Healthwatch England and NHS

Everyone in England is invited to share their views on how NHS services can be made better – so, Stockport, have your say! This feedback campaign has been described as the “biggest ever conversation about the future of the NHS.” 

Next time you stop to make a cuppa – complete your feedback in their survey:

Complete the survey

To share your experiences, views and ideas visit change.nhs.uk. The website will be live until early next year, and via the NHS App. If you’re sharing feedback as a representative of an organisation, the NHS has asked you to complete the organisation questionnaire. 

Have your say

Think Pharmacy First

Details from the NHS

The second phase of NHS England’s Pharmacy First Campaign has launched. The campaign aims to increase awareness of the breadth of support community pharmacists can offer,  making it more convenient for people to access care

It focuses on the Pharmacy First service that allows pharmacists to provide some prescription medicine for seven common conditions, if needed, without the need to see a GP or prescription:

• Sinusitis (for those aged 12 years and over)
• Sore throat (for those aged 5 years and over)
• Earache (for those aged between 1 and 17 years old)
• Infected insect bite (for those aged 1 year and over)
• Impetigo (for those aged 1 year and over)
• Shingles (for those aged over 18 years old
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) (for women aged 16-64)

It will also promote the ability to initiate or provide ongoing supply of oral contraception (the creative for which is awaiting Clinical approval).

You'll see the full campaign across England, with adverts on TV on Demand, radio, public spaces including bus shelters, websites and search engines, and social media. 

Blood Donations Urgently Required 

Details from NHS Blood Donation

If you're a B negative blood donor, your blood can be used for four different blood types - B positive, B negative, AB positive and AB negative. That's why its so important that the NHS have as much B negative blood as possible. 

They urgently need B negative donors and are urging people with that blood type to book an appointment as soon as possible.

Book your appointment here 

Please spread the word to ensure we reach as many people as possible. 

Primary Care: Get to Know Where To Go

Details from NHS Greater Manchester 

The 'Primary Care: Get to know where to go' booklet tells people all they need to know about primary care services – including some things you may not be familiar with, including: 

• New features of the NHS app
• The new Pharmacy First offer 
• Help with prescription costs 
• Urgent dental and eyecare services – available at evenings and weekends 

An accessible online version is available on the NHS Greater Manchester website.

Reducing Medicine Wastage in Greater Manchester

Details from NHS Greater Manchester 

A huge amount of medicine is wasted unnecessarily each year costing the NHS an estimated £300million. NHS Greater Manchester is asking patients to make small changes to help reduce the number of medicines being wasted.

High numbers of wasted medicine has a negative impact on the environment, costs money and can lead to poor outcomes for patients.

• Unused medicines cost the NHS money which could be used to fund services.
• Stockpiling medicines at home is unsafe. You might accidentally take medication that is out-of-date or children or pets may find them and take them.
• It can impact the environment if medicines aren’t disposed of properly, because they can pollute our rivers and seas.

What do you do with unwanted medication? NHS Greater Manchester is encouraging everyone to 'Only order what you need'.

• Check what medicines you have at home before ordering your repeat prescriptions. If you have enough, only request the medicines you need this time. 
• Order repeat prescriptions via the NHS app. It allows you to only select the medicine you need. It’s also quick and easy and means no more unnecessary trips or calls to your GP practice. Download the NHS app via the Apple Store or Google Play.

Find out why it’s important to #OnlyOrderWhatYouNeed. Search: NHS GM only order what you need 

Find out more here

Domestic Burning Campaign

Details from NHS Greater Manchester 

Greater Manchester residents are being urged to follow advice that can reduce the impact on health and the environment from woodburning stoves and open fires this winter, after new research found that only 1 in 10 people* are aware that burning at home is a major cause of pollution that harms health.

A GM-wide information campaign will raise awareness of the harmful effects to your health from solid fuel burning at home - the use of log burners, stoves, open fires and garden fires.  The Winter campaign runs until the end of January 2025. 

Find out more here

Reminder: Stockport to ‘Get Winter Strong’ 

Details from Stockport Council

There is still time to get yourself booked for your vaccines, for protection against Flu, Covid and the Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

Flu vaccines: If eligible, you can get your vaccine from your GP or pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccination. Pharmacy appointments: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/book-flu-vaccination/

Protect against Covid: Adults aged 65+ with long term health conditions and those who are pregnant are encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID also. To book a COVID vaccine: 

119 (ask for a translator if needed)

 www.nhs.uk/bookvaccine. A BSL service is available: signvideo.co.uk/nhs119/.

To find a walk-in COVID vaccine clinic: 

gmintegratedcare.org.uk/covid-vaccine-walk-in-clinics

0161 947 0770 or 0800 092 4020.

Get both your Flu and Covid vaccines: This year there is the option of booking a combined appointment to have both the Flu and the Covid vaccines at the same time. 

Pop-up Covid vaccine centres next week:

2 December: 

8am – 1pm - Life Leisure Avondale, Heathbank Rd, Cheadle Heath, SK3 0UP

2pm – 7pm - Merseyway Shopping Centre

5 December: 

8am – 1pm - Life Leisure Brinnington, Northumberland Rd, SK5 8LS

11 December: 

8am – 1pm - Stockport County Football Club, Edgeley, SK3 9DD (Cheadle end of car park)

12 December: 

8am – 1pm - ASDA Reddish, Manchester Rd, SK4 1TN (furthest end of car park)

13 December: 

2pm – 7pm -Tesco, Tivot Way, SK1 2BY

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine: This virus causes coughs and colds and can be dangerous for older people and young babies. The vaccine is recommended for adults aged 75-79 and those who are pregnant (from 28 weeks).  GPs and maternity services are providing RSV vaccines.

In Stockport, for more information on staying healthy:

www.healthystockport.gov.uk

Children’s Flu Vaccine Catch Up Clinics 

Details from NHS Greater Manchester

Children’s Flu Vaccine catch-up clinics being run by IntraHealth. Parents must call to book an appointment via 0333 358 3397. Please note that this isn't a drop-in clinic. 

3 December: 

3pm – 6pm - Brinnington Health Centre, Brinnington Road, SK5 8BS

9 December: 

3pm – 6pm - Bramhall Health Centre, 66 Bramhall Lane South, Stockport, SK7 2DY

10 December: 

3pm – 5.30pm - Chadsfield Medical Practice, Romiley Health Centre, SK6 4QR

11 December: 

3pm – 6pm - Gatley Medical Practice, Old Hall Rd, Gatley, Cheadle, SK8 4DG

The M.E.N Are Looking For NHS Unsung Heroes 

Deatils from NHS GM

This Christmas, the Manchester Evening News (MEN) are looking to highlight a number of our unsung NHS heroes for a special festive feature. They're looking for healthcare and emergency staff who are working Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, and raise awareness of the incredible work being carried out across Greater Manchester all year round. 

All you need to do is get permission from the person you'd like to see featured and send their contact details, with some information about them.

 gmhscp.media@nhs.net  by Friday 6 December. 

Have Your Say: Stockport SEND Survey

Details from PACT

PACT have launched a survey for parents and carers of children & young people aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND). They'd like your views on how well local services identify children's and young people's needs, and how effectively they improve outcomes for families in Stockport.

Get Involved: Alzheimer's & Hearing Tech Research

Details from Thiscovery

The University of Cambridge and Thiscovery are inviting you to take part in two research studies:

Alzheimer's Research UK - Only 65% of people with dementia symptoms receive a diagnosis, often after a lengthy wait. Thiscovery and Alzheimer’s Research UK want to understand the experience of looking for and getting a diagnosis of dementia. They're keen to hear from people who have been diagnosed with dementia in the last 3 years, or seeking answers for memory and thinking concerns.

Complete the survey

RNID - Have you ever lost your hearing device while in hospital, or been unable to charge it?  Share your experiences so they can understand why and how it happens, and what could help. The impact of losing a key communications aid when dealing with the challenges of a hospital admission can be huge. That’s why RNID are running a project with Thiscovery.

Complete the survey

The research programmes are an extremely important as a way of gathering more information on how to best support, improve, reduce stress on parts of the public health and care system.  

Stockport Food Banks & Local Pantry

Details from Stockport Family Hubs

Stockport Family Hubs have shared these important reminders to help local residents:

Food Banks: Stockport has two main food bank services: Stockport Foodbank, provided by the Trussell Trust, and Chelwood Foodbank Plus. They operate in multiple locations across Stockport.

Both food bank services operate on a referral basis and offer a food parcel containing three days’ supply of food for a household that can be accessed three times in a 13 week period. Food banks can also provide toilet rolls, personal hygiene items, nappies and baby wipes for those who need these items. Find out more about Food Banks.

Local Pantry: The pantry service is available for Stockport residents struggling with the rising cost of food. There are pantries at Penny Lane (Lancashire Hill), Mottram Street, Woodley, Brinnington and Bridgehall.

For just £4.50 a week members can access ten items of food plus free fruit, veg and bread, typically saving over £20 per shop. Each pantry is open once a week. To find out more, visit the Pantry website or email pantry@stockporthomes.org. 

Help Create A Stockport Family Album

Details from Stockport Council

Stockroom, Stockport’s new creative and cultural hub, is opening in Spring—and Stockport Council want you to be part of its story. They're creating a 'Chosen Family Album' to celebrate Stockport’s rich diversity, and need your help. Share your family photos—from 1970 to today—and see yourself featured in this unique project.

Join their first scanning day on 23 November, 11am–3pm, at Merseyway Shopping Centre. Take your photos to be digitised or have your portrait taken to become part of Stockport’s legacy.

For updates, follow @stockr__m on Instagram or sign up at www.stockrm.org.

The Stockport Mental Health Network

Details from Pure Innovations 

Pure Innovations leads the Stockport Mental Health Network (MHN) in partnership with Beacon Counselling and the Stockport Progress and Recovery Centre (SPARC). The MHN allotment in Heaton Norris is just one part of its wide-ranging work.

The Network is specifically for people who have been engaged with, are currently engaged with, or are leaving statutory mental health services.

Find out more here

Service Overview: Talk, Listen, Change

Details from Talk, Listen, Change (TLC)

Talk Listen Change offer ten weeks of counselling for people recovering from addictions. This service is for those who are not in active addiction, for example, for someone who has struggled with addiction in the past and/or has accessed specialist addiction services, and is now in a more stable position to manage their recovery.

Appointments are available via video or telephone. All referral details are included in the flyer attached. 

Outside the Box - Chatty Cafe

Details from Outside the Box

The Chatty Café is a free drop in to play a game and have a chat, as the name suggests. Their regular volunteers come along to enjoy a natter with those who attend. Chatty Cafes take place on:

 Wednesdays from 12 - 3pm 

34 Woodford Road, Bramhall, SK7 1PA

0161 399 8757

www.Outsidetheboxltd.co.uk.

Dementia Discos Community Events

Further Events & Community Activities across the Borough

Answer Cancer

Answer Cancer update

For Men to Talk

For Men to Talk Meetings

One Stockport Family Hubs

Family Hubs bulletin

Starting Point

Stockport Digital Champion Update - 25th November 2024 - Christmas Plans Special

Stockport Council

Stockport Review