In this issue:
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.
Yes or no?
This ebulletin has been produced without the logos and images we normally use to separate the articles. Do you prefer our news with or without the images?
Please let us know in this brief Yes or No survey
Earlier this month we launched our new anonymous surveys. They are:
General health and care survey - an opportunity to tell us what you think about any services you have used (or tried to use) recently, whether you were happy or not. You can also make suggestions to improve the experience for patients.
Mental health survey - we want to hear from people who are using mental health services. What works for you, and what can be improved? Carers are also invited to complete the survey - do you get the support you need from mental health services?
NHS111 survey - this survey has been designed by Healthwatch England. The local Healthwatch across Greater Manchester are collecting feedback from their local residents about using NHS111 services. The survey is more detailed than the short survey recently run by Healthwatch Tameside about the same topic.
The results from all the surveys will be used to influence planning for future services.
The surveys can be found at www.healthwatchtameside.co.uk/share-your-views
If you would like to complete the survey over the phone, or on paper, please give us a call on 0161 667 2526, or email info@healthwatchtameside.co.uk
Thank you for your time.
Bank holiday opening - pharmacies
If you need to use a pharmacy over the bank holiday weekend in August, you can find out their opening hours at https://psnc.org.uk/greater-manchester-lpc/our-news/august-bank-holiday-opening-hours-2021/
To find out more about this topic, and whether you might be at risk, have a look at www.tamesideandglossopccg.org/news/know-your-risk-of-type-2-diabetes. Last year the number of people diagnosed in Tameside increased.
There is an online tool available at https://riskscore.diabetes.org.uk/start
HIV survey
Greater Manchester has committed to ending new infections of HIV within a generation. The Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership has initiated a programme, with a range of organisations, to support the progress towards this. Researchers from Manchester Metropolitan University are conducting a survey to evaluate the progress of some parts of this work. They are looking for people aged 18 years and over and who belong to the LGBT or BAME communities and live in Greater Manchester.
For more information, and to complete the survey, see https://mmu.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_afNInjNnt4K27Vc
COVID-19
Dr Linda Charles Ozuzu, the North West’s lead for the NHS Covid-19 vaccine programme, is urging everyone with a long term health condition to take up the offer of a Covid-19 vaccine.
Unfortunately, people with long term health conditions such as diabetes, heart and lung disease and people with a learning disability or autism are six times more likely to become seriously ill if they catch the Covid-19 virus. And with the levels of the Delta variant of the virus remaining high in the community, this means the risk is high of catching the virus.
Linda has overseen the roll-out of the vaccine programme across the region, with over 9 million doses of the vaccine administered across the North West.
She said: “It’s clear now that the vaccine has prevented thousands of people from becoming seriously ill and needing hospital treatment and the latest estimates are that the vaccine has prevented more than 29,000 deaths. So there’s every reason for people who are particularly at risk from the Covid virus to get themselves vaccinated.
“Getting yourself vaccinated really is the best line of defence for people – and is how we are all going to be able to get back to normal life. Side-effects from the vaccine are short-lived and in reality, are minimal compared to the impact that Covid can have if you catch it.”
There are regular vaccination hubs around the borough, and additional pop-up clinics. More information about the location and opening times for each, see www.tameside.gov.uk/covidvaccine
For up-to-date information about the latest rules and guidance see www.tameside.gov.uk/coronavirus
Healthwatch is the new independent consumer champion created to gather and represent the views of the public. Healthwatch will play a role at both national and local level and will make sure that the views of the public and people who use services are taken into account. This email has been sent by Healthwatch Tameside, part of the Action Together family. Registered office 131 Katherine Street, Ashton-under-Lyne. This email and any attachments are believed to be free from viruses but it is your responsibility to carry out all necessary virus checks and Action Together accepts no liability in connection herewith. If received in error Action Together can be contacted by phone on 0044 (0)161 339 4985 or via email info@healthwatchtameside.co.uk Please don't print this email unless you really need to. |