Healthwatch Round Up - 20 February 2025
Welcome to this week's Healthwatch Stockport Information Round-up!
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This week, the team have been supporting our local community, promoting our Information and Advice service the next of our Library Tour stop offs; Bridgehall in Adswood and Offerton (see our final dates below). We also ventured out to Walthew House to gather feedback around local hearing services.
Have Your Say: NHS Adult Hearing Services in Stockport!
At Healthwatch Stockport, we're currently reviewing the NHS Adult Hearing Services in Stockport. Have you or your loved ones used this service in the past 12 months? If so, please share your experiences with us in a our short survey. Your feedback makes a huge difference!
We're always listening to what people have to say about health and care services in Stockport and our focus on hearing services is no different. The more feedback we receive from those who use the services, the better our understanding will be and the more comprehensive we can make our review.
Our survey also offers you the opportunity to share your experiences around other NHS services ear care, not directly linked to NHS Adult Hearing Services.
share these reports with commissioners, stakeholders, and the wider community.
If you prefer to provide feedback offline, we offer alternative options. Please contact the team:
If you prefer to provide feedback offline, we offer alternative options. We can arrange for a paper copy of the survey to be sent to you or one of our team can fill it out with you over the phone.
0161 974 0753
Thank you so much for helping us make a difference!
The survey closes on Friday, March 7, 2025.
Healthwatch Articles & Advice You May Have Missed
Please see the latest news, advice and support articles from us and Healthwatch England.
Hospital discharge: What you need to know?
Hospital discharge processes are in place to help you leave hospital safely. Whether you're returning home or, moving onto another care provider here’s what you should expect when it’s time to leave hospital.
Patients put off seeking care due to ‘dysfunctional’ NHS admin, warn patient groups and healthcare experts
We have joined The King’s Fund and National Voices in highlighting the scale and impact of poor NHS administration and patient communications. Working with The King’s Fund and National Voices, we have published new research about people’s experiences of NHS admin processes.
Join us this February for 'Share for Better Care Week'.
Get involved in a national week of action to help more people have a stronger voice in their care. If you use GPs, hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, community or care services, we want to hear your experiences - good, bad or in-between.
Check out our website for more news, advice and informative articles.
Final Dates: Healthwatch Stockport’s Library Tours
As part of the above Information and Advice Service, the Healthwatch Stockport team are running a number of 'Library Pop-ups'. During these visits, we're also gathering feedback about local hearing services. Here are the last few dates:
High Lane Library - Monday 24 February, 11am - 1pm
Cheadle Hulme Library - Wednesday 26 February, 1pm - 3pm
Bramhall Library - Monday 3 March, 1pm - 3pm
Healthwatch in Greater Manchester – Quarterly Update (Oct–Dec 2024)
Details from Healthwatch in Greater Manchester
Discover key insights and updates from Healthwatch across Greater Manchester. This quarter’s highlights include:
✅ Access to Health Services for Ethnic Minorities: Reports reveal disparities in healthcare access, with a focus on improving inclusivity.
✅ Mental Health Services: Ongoing concerns about availability and accessibility lead to fresh recommendations for improvement.
✅ Digital Health Services: Balancing the benefits of online consultations with challenges like digital inclusion.
✅ Workforce Pressures: Exploring solutions to support healthcare staff and sustainable service delivery.
Reports from local Healthwatch teams also cover topics like CAMHS, men's mental health, pharmacy services, and more.
Together, we’re shaping better health and social care across Greater Manchester.
Get Involved: Share for Better Care Week
Details from Healthwatch England
It's common to leave a review about a meal or holiday, but six in ten people don’t remember ever having shared feedback about local health and social care services. You can help change this by supporting Share for Better Care Week, which begins on 24 February 2025.
If you don't already, give us a follow on social media. We're on Facebook, Instagram, Linked in and X (formally Twitter). Don't forget to like, comment and share our posts to spread the word.
Also, check out our website article for further information and don't forget to share your feedback.
NHS Urges RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Take Up
Details from the NHS
The NHS is urging around 1.3 million older people who've not yet had the respiratory syncytial virus vaccine to get jabbed. Invites are being sent to people aged 75-79 or turned 80 after 1 September 2024, encouraging them to book an appointment with their GP.
RSV spreads all year round and affects the airways and lungs, and for older adults can lead to severe lung infections like pneumonia or other life-threatening conditions.
Pregnant women are also eligible for the vaccine from 28 weeks onwards, as RSV is a leading cause of infant mortality. Women can speak to their maternity service or GP practice.
February is Heart Month: Check Your Health
Details from the NHS
February is Heart Month, so see these valuable tools to help you look after your heart health.
Blood Pressure: Raised blood pressure is the number one cause of pain and disability in Greater Manchester. It can increase your risk of experiencing a serious health problem like a heart attack, stroke or dementia. Knowing your blood pressure is the first step to doing something about it.
You can get your blood pressure checked for free in many places, including your GP practice, some local pharmacies and some workplaces. Do you know your numbers? Visit the NHS website for more information and advice.
Heart Age: If your heart age is older than your actual age, you could be at increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke. The NHS heart calculator will ask you questions about your health. You'll also find out how to improve your heart age by making some healthy lifestyle changes.
Click here to calculate your heart age
NHS Breast Screening Campaign Goes Live
Details from NHS England
NHS England has launched its first national campaign to support breast screening. Titled ‘That Feeling.’ The campaign aims to encourage eligible women to attend their screening appointments and increase early detection of breast cancer as more than four in ten (46.3%) invited for the first time don’t act on their invitation.
In the campaign, supported by Breast Cancer Now, viewers see a number of women breath a sigh of relief at the end of a long day when they remove their bras. Its intended to serve as a metaphor for the reassurance they feel after they're given the all clear.
The campaign runs across TV, video-on-demand, out-of-home, national press, radio, social and digital channels.
Be Lung Aware!
Details from NHS Greater Manchester
Worried about your cough? If you’ve had a cough or shortness of breath for three weeks or more, or if you’re just worried, you can answer a few short questions to get advice on what to do. Chances are it’s nothing to worry about, but if it's lung cancer, finding it earlier makes it easier to treat.
To find out more, visit www.lungaware.co.uk
Easy Read Information on Diabetes Available
Details from NHS England
NHS England has published a number of easy read and plain English newsletters about the work being done to make the NHS better for people with a learning disability and autistic people.
GP practices are encouraged to share the information with their patients. Newsletter number 18 talks about type 1 diabetes and number 17 talks about type 2 diabetes. Read this guide about managing type 1 diabetes, it is translated into different languages or watch this type 1 diabetes UK video.
This Van Can Back in Greater Manchester
Details from NHS Greater Manchester (GM)
GM Cancer Alliance have launched a new ‘This Van Can’ initiative, which will be touring Greater Manchester to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.
A new ‘This Van Can’ Ovarian Cancer Awareness Roadshow in partnership with Target Ovarian Cancer and the Dianne Oxberry Trust, an organisation founded in memory of BBC broadcaster Dianne Oxberry who died from ovarian cancer in 2019.
The van will visit Stockport early March:
3 March: Asda Hazel Grove, 114 London Rd, Hazel Grove, SK7 4AG
4 March: Handforth Dean, Coppice Way, Handforth, SK9 3PA
5 March: Morrisons Bredbury, Stockport Rd West, SK6 2BN
Great News For Blister Pack Recycling!
Details from Recycle Now
Boots UK have launched a blister pack recycling scheme at 800 stores across the UK after their successful pilot.
Plastic packaging in the UK accounts for nearly 70% of our plastic waste so this is a big win for recycling. The empty blister packs taken back to Boots stores will be recycled into playground equipment and furniture.
If that's not incentive enough, those who have a Boots Advantage Card, can earn 100 points (worth £1) for every five empty blister packs you recycle at store!
Have Your Say: Pharmacy Services Survey
Details from Healthwatch in Greater Manchester
Do you use pharmacy services in Stockport? Now’s your chance to influence their future! Community Pharmacy Greater Manchester, in partnership with local Health and Wellbeing Boards, want to hear your views and experiences to ensure everyone has the right access to community pharmacy services.
- Are they easy to get to when you need to?
- Do they offer the services you want?
- How could we make pharmacies better in the future?
Your feedback will help them to understand what pharmacy services people use, what services you want, and how you feel about access to pharmacies. The survey is important because it will be used to help decide whether there is a need to improve pharmacy services in the area.
The survey closes on 21 March.
Have Your Say: How Homes Are Allocated in Stockport
Details from Stockport Homes
Stockport Homes is reviewing their Allocations Policy and are asking customers for their views on proposed changes.
There are currently over 9000 active Homechoice applicants registered for housing with Stockport and last year less than 600 properties became available for reletting. The Policy aims to make the best use of homes and give preference to those most in need.
Anybody with an interest in social housing within Stockport can complete the survey.
Have Your Say: The Big Mental Health Survey 2025
Mind are running a survey to better understand your views and experiences of mental health support provided by:
- Primary care (e.g. a GP or practice nurse)
- Charities and voluntary or third sector organisations (e.g. support groups, information services, counselling or similar psychological services)
- Digital based platforms/apps (for example Headspace)
This insight will help Mind campaign for better laws, build better services and create a mental health system that works for everyone.
Everyone can complete this survey whether you've used these or Mind services, or not. Mind have asked M·E·L Research, an independent research agency, to conduct this survey on their behalf.
Service Overview: SEND Stockport
Details from Stockport Council
Support for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)
The SEND Stockport Local Offer website is the go-to resource for comprehensive information and guidance on the support available for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), as well as their parents and carers. The website features a directory of services, details on upcoming SEND and neurodiversity events, and additional support options.
Families can also visit their local One Stockport Family Hub to learn more about SEND support.
Westmorland Drive, Brinnington, SK5 8HH
Garners Lane, Adswood, SK3 8QW
Abingdon Road, Reddish, SK5 7EU
One Stockport Family Hubs support is also accessible online 24/7. Additionally, trained staff are available to assist at local libraries, Life Leisure Hubs, and Stockport Homes.
Stockport Rocks! Nominations Close 28 Feb!
Details from Sector 3
Stockport’s official Volunteer Awards, will be returning to Edgeley Park on Tuesday 20 May and nominations are closing soon.
There are eleven categories to choose from, including Corporate Volunteer Programme. Nominations can be for someone who has a fixed volunteer role with an organisation, or someone who just likes to give back and help people out when needed.
Nominations close on 28 February and you can make as many nominations as you wish.
Get Involved: Rag Revival Comes to Stockport
Details from Groundworks
Rag Revival aims to educate residents on textile waste by upcycling and repurposing rag/unusable material into something fun and creative.
Groundworks are holding workshops to educate and upskill participants, teaching basic mending techniques as well as boosting confidence, mindfulness and more....all whilst contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions by diverting waste from landfill.
There are upcoming dates in February and March in Stockport, with spaces for up to 10 participants per session.
To refer someone or find out more:
07850310730
They are also looking for volunteers for the duration of the project. Do you have a few hours per week?
Get Involved: Health & Social Care Research
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is looking for people to help them assess funding applications for health and social care research.
They're particularly looking for people with lived experience and/or a good understanding of patient and public involvement in research. This could include experience in reviewing applications, working with researchers, being part of a research study, or serving on committees or advisory groups.
Public committee members will read and review funding proposals and provide a written summary of their reflections.
If you know anyone who might be interested, please share this opportunity with them. Their insights and lived experiences can help shape research that matters to them and improve health and care services.
Visit the website here for further information about the roles and how to apply.
The closing date is 27 February.
To discuss in more detail, get in touch publicrecruitment@nihr.ac.uk.
Get Involved: Reminisce Photography Competition
Details from Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
The Dementia care team at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust have launched the Reminisce Photograph Competition. They're calling for local people to submit old photographs of local landmarks to find images for a new therapy book to help support patients living with Dementia.
The appeal is for photos of buildings, housing, transport, and attractions taken between 1940-1990. These can be from Stockport, other areas of Greater Manchester, and around the High Peak.
Photos should have been taken by the person entering the competition, or their friends and family with permission.
For details, email the Stockport NHS Foundation Trust Dementia Care Team.
Entries need to be in by the close of Friday, 28 February.
Get Involved: Focus Group for Young People With ADHD
Details from PACT Stockport
PACT will be running a focus group for young people aged 13-25 with lived experience of ADHD.
The aim of the new 'Youth Voice' group is to bring together young people's voices to help bring about change to NHS services that affect them. Throughout the sessions there'll be an opportunity to meet NHS commissioners who are eager to hear young people’s feedback.
Every last Wednesday of the month
Greater Manchester Youth Network office, 46-50 Oldham Street, Manchester, M4 1LE.
For more details, contact Chloe:
07759 069777
Reminder to Get Involved: Women's Health Study (POPPY)
Details from NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research)
The University of Cambridge is carrying out a study to determine if pregnancy complications have a negative effect on the health of women following their pregnancy, which cannot be accounted for by any factors which were present prior to pregnancy.
The study has two 'arms':
- Pregnancy - looking for women actively considering pregnancy within 12 months
- Non Pregnancy - open to women interested in women's health research and not planning to conceive during the next 18 months.
Both 'arms' involve visits to a clinic for assessments, which will mainly involve taking measurements and some blood/urine samples.
Appointments will take place in hospitals (a list of suitable locations are on the study website)
People taking part will receive £35 per visit they attend. Closing date for study: 30 June 2025
Training: ND Matters Support Workshops
Receiving an adult diagnosis of Autism and/or ADHD can be both validating and emotional, but often leave you wondering.
ND Matters are excited to be running more post diagnostic support workshops. These workshops are designed to help you make sense of your diagnosis, translate medical terms into something meaningful and connect with others going through a similar experience
- Week 1 - Autism/ADHD/AUDHD and what it means to you
- Week 2 - Sensory differences & how they may affect you
- Week 3 - Education, employment and the role of reasonable adjustments
- Week 4 - What now? Navigating a neurotypical world
Each session is two hours
Fridays March 21/28 & April 4/11, 10am-12pm
Oak room Ladybridge Connect, Off Meadway road, Cheadle Hulme, SK8 5NZ
SPARC for Young Adults Groups
Details from SPARC 4 Young Adults
If you'd like to socialise with others aged 18-30, with lived experience of mental health difficulties, contact sparc4youth@sparc4me.org.uk to discuss the groups on offer. Groups run on Mondays (11.30am - 1pm)
24 February: Nook Cafe, Heaton Moor
3 March: Baking Stones @ SPARC
10 March: Walk and Wander (Stockport town centre)
19 March: Task Master games @ SPARC
24 March: Knutsford and Tatton Park (full day event)
31 March: Pizza Making @ SPARC
7 April: Bramhall Hall park walk
Contact SPARC4Young Adults:
0161 429 9744
Further Events & Community Activities across the Borough
Training: Living Life to the Full
Details from Fikawelie
Are you feeling anxious or overwhelmed? You're not alone. Fikawelie are running a free six-week wellbeing week.
You will be able to learn practical strategies to manage stress, build resilience, and take control of your well-being, whilst gaining new confidence.
26 February – 2nd April,10am -11.30am
The Generator, Unit 12, 13 and 14, Royal Mill, 17 Redhill St, Ancoats, M4 5BA,
Limited spaces available – so be quick!
Training: Eating Difficulties With Kooth and Qwell
Details from Kooth
There will be a number of KoothTalks mental health training webinars, sharing the role of Kooth and Qwell in the care pathway for people with an eating difficulty.
There are sessions for health professionals and for parents and families.
The sessions will cover:
- Hearing from Kooth's Head of Clinical Governance, Dr. Hannah, about her experience supporting people with eating difficulties
- The difference between eating difficulties and eating 'disorders'
- Signs that someone may be experiencing difficulties with eating
- What to do if you are concerned
- Data insights and case studies
This FREE, 30 minute session will be held on the following dates:
Healthcare and local services: 24 or 26 February, 4pm - 4:30pm.
Parents, carers and families: 25 or 27 February, 6pm - 6:30pm.
How to sign up
For professionals see here
For families see here
Training & Skills Support: WorkWell
Details from Stockport Council
Stockport Council have announced three new initiatives aimed at helping people to access work and skills support.
WorkWell: a UK Government funded initiative aimed at supporting those in work, that are at risk of losing employment, or are very recently unemployed, due to a health condition.
Greater Manchester is one of 15 locations to pilot this programme. In Stockport, this programme is being jointly led by Stockport Council and the NHS, in partnership with Viaduct Care who'll employ Work and Health Coaches to undertake assessments and action plans for participants. WorkWell will run until March 2026, supporting over 800 Stockport residents.
In Work Progression: commissioned by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and will provide Stockport residents in work, with limited career progression opportunities, to either support their progression by, for example, upskilling. This initiative will support around 300 Stockport residents over a period of two years.
The Work and Skills Navigator is a new Council post, and will act as the single point of contact for residents, employers and front line services supporting customers, seeking help for work and skills needs.
All three initiatives will be based in community settings, linking in with the network of Family Hubs and local libraries, and the range of services delivered from these settings.
Job Opportunity: Healthwatch Bury
Details from Healthwatch Bury
Healthwatch Bury are seeking a dynamic and passionate Chief Officer to lead their dedicated team and volunteers to achieve our strategic goals. If you have the vision and drive to make a real difference to the lives of people in our community, they want to hear from you.
Please see the full job description on their website.
- Contract: Permanent
- Hours: 37 hours per week
Closing Date: Friday, 7 March, 9am. Interviews will be held at the Healthwatch Bury office on Thursday 27 February.
Please note interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held week commencing 17 March.
How do I apply?
Submit your completed application form (below), detailing how your experience and skills align with the role together with your CV by Friday, 7 March, 9am to info@healthwatchbury.co.uk
To arrange an informal discussion about the role with the Chair, Ruth Passman, please ring 0161 253 6300 or email info@healthwatchbury.co.uk
Training: Childminding Courses
Details from Start well Family Hubs
The next childminding information session will be on 30 April, 6:30pm to 8:30pm. You can visit TicketTailor to book your place.
This two-hour briefing provides lots of information on what it's like to be a childminder, practical information provided by an experienced Stockport childminder and more.
For more information, you can:
0161 218 1200 or 07891 949374
Workshop: Living With Pain and/or Long-Term Health Conditions
If you're struggling with chronic pain and/or a long-term health condition/s, and want to find out how to manage the impact on your mental health, this may be the perfect workshop.
What's covered in the group? This group is skills based but it's a collaboration between the facilitator and the group. The core skills explored are below:
- Understanding the impact living with a long-term health condition has on our emotions.
- Physical symptoms of stress and the impact on our bodies
- Pacing and activity
- Values and goals
- Acceptance and self-compassion
- Managing unhelpful thoughts
- Relapse prevention
Location: There are face to face sessions at Stepping Hill hospital (Oasis Building) on a Thursday and remotely via Microsoft Teams (full details to be confirmed).
Further information about training: Contact Beth Samuels (Bethany.samuels@nhs.net), Sophie Burgess (Sophie.burgess1@nhs.net) or Rhiannon Malik (Rhiannon.malik@nhs.net)
See the first attachment below.
We have also include attachments for other training.
Training: Amazing Babies Virtual Session
Details from Start Well Stockport
Start Well Stockport are again running their Amazing Babies bite-size training online. In this session you can learn how a baby’s brain develops and how we can help to build it. This session is for parents carers from pregnancy to age two.
Training Offer: Parents & Carers - Protecting Vunerable Beneficiaries
Details from EPSeminars
Currently delivering seminars to PACT, Seashell Trust and Together Trust, EPSseminars are widening their offer of free awareness sessions to parents, carers, staff and their families in relation to protecting vulnerable beneficiaries. Get in touch if you're interested in hosting.
This is an opportunity for residents to find out everything they need to know when it comes to protecting the family. The talk is delivered in a friendly, plain-speaking way with a sprinkle of humour thrown in. It will be a whistle stop tour of Wills, Lasting Power of Attorney, Trusts and Court of Protection - covering options on protecting your assets, guardians, executors, trustees, Vulnerable beneficiaries, funding care and much more. At the end of the session you'll be clear about where you might want to go next.
The talks are delivered online or Face to Face depending on location.
Learn more at www.epseminars.co.uk
If you're interested in a session for your group or team, see the attached.
For Men Who Talk
Kings Trust Newsletter
Upcoming courses from The King's Trust
Sector 3
Starting Point
Stockport Council
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.
