In this issue:

• Mental health and wellbeing report
• Budget conversation
• Antibiotic Guardians
• Accessing care
• NIHR Academy
• COVID testing sites in Tameside - November

If you have feedback about these topics, or any recent experiences about health or care services you think we should know about, give Healthwatch Tameside a call on 0161 667 2526. Or email info@healthwatchtameside.co.uk

Thank you.

In July we produced an interim report using the mental health and wellbeing comments from our COVID-19 survey. This has been updated using surveys completed up to 31 October 2020. The new survey can be read at www.healthwatchtameside.co.uk/sites/default/files/mental_health_and_wellbeing_update_report_as_at_31.10.20.pdf

The survey is still open, and we would love people to complete it. If they have given us their views earlier in the year, and have more to say, it is OK to fill it in again.

The link for the online survey is www.healthwatchtameside.co.uk/covid-19-survey.

There is also a post pinned to the top of our Facebook page which can be shared www.facebook.com/HealthwatchTameside/

People can give us a call on 0161 667 2526 to request a paper copy and FREEPOST envelope, or we can call people back to fill in the survey over the phone with them.

Whilst we are unable to get out into the community to talk to people due to COVID, we are concerned that people will not hear about this work. Everyone’s views are important, and we want as many people as possible to have an opportunity to have their say. Please share with your family, friends and neighbours.

Thank you.

This is the Tameside & Glossop Strategic Commission’s Budget Conversation for 2021/22. By giving your views you will help them to understand the priorities of local people and inform the budget setting process for next year.

Tameside and Glossop Strategic Commission (Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council (TMBC) and NHS Tameside & Glossop Clinical Commissioning Group (T&G CCG)) is responsible for delivering over £974 million of vital services from bin collections, to care for the elderly, to the provision of GP surgeries.

Both TMBC and T&G CCG are legally required to set a balanced budget for 2021/22. The past year has seen significant financial challenges, both as a result of cuts to funding and the coronavirus pandemic, which has reduced income and increased demand for services. This means that they must find new and innovative ways to provide the best services for local people.

Go to the Budget Conversation webpage to find out more information about where the money they spend comes from and how it is spent. You can provide your views and feedback via an online survey. The closing date for responses is 6 January.

They are also hosting a number of public virtual engagement sessions to gather views of people in Tameside & Glossop. Participants will have the opportunity to share and discuss their priorities for the budget in 2021/22.   Sessions will take place on:

• 18 November 2020, 9am – 10.30am
• 25 November 2020, 6pm – 7.30pm
• 8 December 2020, 2pm – 3.30pm

These sessions can be joined online or by dialling-in via telephone for those without digital access.  You can register for one of these sessions using this quick sign-up form.

Antibiotic Guardians

Tameside and Glossop residents are being urged to become “Antibiotic Guardians” and protect themselves, family and friends against the spread of antibiotic resistance.

 NHS Tameside and Glossop Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is providing information and guidance in support of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (18-24 November), which aims to increase awareness of antibiotic resistance and encourage best practice.

To find out more about the advice, and how to become an “Antibiotic Guardian” see www.tamesideandglossopccg.org/KAW

Accessing care