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In this issue:
Survey snapshot!
We have produced a brief report, giving a snapshot of the responses received so far in our COVID-19 survey. This has been shared with commissioners and providers of health and care services, for consideration when discussions are held about the way services will look in the future. 45% of people said their mental health has been affected. 57% of people said healthcare for their existing conditions has been affected. 40% of the people who completed the survey on paper have a smartphone. A copy can be found at www.healthwatchtameside.co.uk/news/healthwatch-tameside-covid-19-survey-interim-report-june-2020 The information received so far, might be different to your experiences. Let us know your ideas by completing the survey at www.healthwatchtameside.co.uk/covid-19-survey We want as many people as possible to have the chance to 'Have their say'. Please pass on the link to your friends and family. The more voices we hear, the stronger our message to commissioners and providers of services can be. Know someone who would like a paper version of the survey? Please get in touch on 0161 667 2526 or email info@healthwatchtameside.co.uk with contact address details. We will post a survey, with a FREEPOST envelope for return of the completed survey. We can also complete the survey over the phone, if people would prefer that. Thank you.
Dental care At Healthwatch Tameside we have been hearing from people needing dental care during lockdown, and the difficulties they have met with. From 8 June 2020, dental practices have been given permission to re-open, if this can be done safely. There will be different timescales for each practice to open, as they get ready for welcoming people back, in line with the do's and don'ts connected with COVID-19. For more information, you can look at www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/dental-standard-operating-procedure-transition-to-recovery/ If you need treatment, please ring your dental practice - they will not be accepting people walking in without an appointment. If you do not have an NHS dentist, you can look at www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist . You wil need to ring whichever dentist you choose, to see whether they are accepting new patients at the moment. Information can also be found at www.tamesideandglossopccg.org/local-services/dental-services
Cervical screening
With some GP surgeries beginning to resume their cervical screening programme, read @eveappeal's updated 'Screening and Coronavirus FAQs' to know what to expect if you get an invitation to your appointment: eveappeal.org.uk/coronavirus . The website also includes information about other gynaecological issues, and what to do during COVID-19. Another website providing information is www.jostrust.org.uk/information
Connect 5 Changing the conversation around mental wellbeing and helping to remove the stigma can often be challenging work. Tameside, Oldham and Glossop Mind want to create a ripple of change locally and regionally with the roll out of their new Connect 5 – Live Online mental wellbeing training, working with the four other Mind branches across Greater Manchester (Mind in Greater Manchester Partnership), as well as providing a range of ongoing innovative help and support for all who sign up. Connect 5 is a workforce training programme, created to up skill Health and Social Care staff to better understand and successfully address mental health issues within their everyday practice. The content provides an evidenced based collaborative prevention toolkit, that promotes psychological knowledge, understanding, awareness and the development of skills which empower people to take proactive steps to build resilience and look after themselves. The training can be accessed by anyone who feels they would benefit from greater knowledge within their role to support others, be that hairdressers, taxi drivers, community groups, managers, landlords, support workers and volunteers. More information can be found at www.togmind.org/connect-5 . This includes a video.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) guidance Here are some trusted websites you can look at, to get up-to-date information: Tameside Mental Health - www.tameside.gov.uk/coronavirus/mentalhealth Tameside Council website - www.tameside.gov.uk/coronavirus If you have further queries, or need help while self-isolating or shielding, the number to ring is 0161 342 8355. Tameside & Glossop Clinical Commissioning Group - www.tamesideandglossopccg.org/news/covid-19 NHS website - www.nhs.uk/health-at-home/ Healthwatch England - www.healthwatch.co.uk/ Action Together - support and information to voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations can be found on their website www.actiontogether.org.uk/covid-19 This link also includes information about volunteering - Action Together are co-ordinating the volunteer response in Tameside.
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