Healthwatch Tameside ebulletin 14 August 2020

Firstly, please accept our apologies if you have tried to complete any of our surveys online in the last week, and they have not worked. We found out yesterday that there was a glitch on the website (possibly caused by a security update?) which was stopping the scroll bars from working. This has now been fixed.

We would be grateful if you could try again, so that we don't lose the information you wanted to tell us. If you still have problems, please get in touch on 0161 667 2526, so we can look into it straight away.

Our most recent survey is about your experiences of COVID-19 since March, and looking to the future - how would you like to access health and care services?

Please share the link with your friends and family who live in Tameside or Glossop, and encourage them all to complete the anonymous survey - www.healthwatchtameside.co.uk/covid-19-survey The survey is open to all ages, including children. Each member of the family can fill in the survey with their own thoughts.

We can also provide paper copies of the survey, with a FREEPOST envelope for return, or we can complete the survey by phone. Our phone number is 0161 667 2526, and we have an answerphone, as all staff work part-time. We will call you back next time we are working.

The more voices we hear, the stronger our message to commissioners and providers of services can be. It is your feedback that influences changes to the way services are provided.

Our other surveys are more general, and ask about your recent experiences of using health and care services:

The Partnership Engagement Network have a survey open until 28 August 2020. They want to understand how the pandemic has impacted the lives of people who live, work or spend time in Tameside & Glossop. The questions are different to those on the Healthwatch Tameside survey, and the responses to both surveys wil be considered when decisions are being made about future health and care provision.

They want to gather your views on how we can better live with, and recover from, COVID-19. As challenging as the COVID-19 pandemic has been, it also presents a range of opportunities to do things differently in Tameside & Glossop. They want to hear what your priorities are for the way we recover and for the future of the area.

Following exam results day yesterday for A levels and BTEC, and GCSE results next week, Kooth are providing mental health support to young people. See more on their website at www.kooth.com/ . Some members of the Kooth team will also be sharing their advice and experiences from 10th to 20th August on Kooth social media.

There is a new brochure available for parents to read, which gives advice and support about managing and supporting young people during and post exam results. This can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/2Fmx8R1

The August bank holiday pharmacy opening hours list is available on the GM LPC website and is the most up to date listing.

There are men and women struggling with domestic abuse.

For information about how to get help, see the Tameside Council website at www.tameside.gov.uk/domesticabuse

COVID-19 (coronavirus) guidance

With all the changes that are still being announced, it can be hard to keep up-to-date. What are the social distancing rules? When should masks be worn, and who does it apply to? Questions about health appointments and social care. Who should quarantine for 14 days after a holiday abroad?

Here are some trusted websites you can look at, to get information. If you can't find what you are looking for, give us a call on 0161 667 2526. With so many changes happening, it may be that not all the sites have been updated yet.

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/coronavirusaccessingprimarycare

NHS website - www.nhs.uk/health-at-home/

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.