In this issue:

• Our work
• Local health and wellbeing events
• CQC and BSL
• Patient Choice
• COVID-19 and Long COVID

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.

Our work

We are collecting feedback about people's current experience of using health and care services. 

• What are your views?
• Are you able to access the care you need?
• What is going well?

Our surveys can be found at www.healthwatchtameside.co.uk/share-your-views

If you would like to complete a survey over the phone, or on paper, please give us a call on 0161 667 2526, or email info@healthwatchtameside.co.uk. Alternatively, you can tell us what you think by phone or by email. If you leave us a brief message with your name and phone number on our answerphone, we will call you back.

We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.

We have been notified of the following:

Bloom Allotments open day Saturday 18 September 1.30 - 3.30pm - BLOOM is based at Grange Road South allotments, Hyde, SK14 5NP (entrance next to No 130.) , offering a wide range of fulfilling, purposeful activities and opportunities for a positive impact on health, wellbeing, building confidence and self-esteem, while having fun and making friends. Do you or someone you know or care for have a learning disability or long term mental health condition? Enjoy being outdoors? Fancy something different?..

For more information see their Facebook page www.facebook.com/events/nr-130-grange-road-south-hyde-sk14-5-united-kingdom/bloom-allotments-open-day/1077029756161221/. Or ring 0161 366 9966 or email JoanneMcColl.Parry@stpeterspartnerships.org

CQC and BSL

The CQC (Care Quality Commission) have introduced a new way British Sign Language (BSL) users can get in touch. You can use it to give feedback on care or for any other type of enquiry.

SignLive is a service you can use to call people through a BSL interpreter. You sign to the interpreter using the camera on your phone, tablet or computer, and the interpreter speaks to one of their team.

You'll find CQC listed in SignLive's community directory. Calling through SignLive’s community directory is free.

For more information see www.cqc.org.uk/contact-us/general-enquiries/get-help-contacting-us-if-youre-deaf-or-hard-hearing

Did you know if your GP needs to refer you for a physical or mental health condition, in most cases you have a legal right to choose which hospital or service you go to. This includes NHS and many private hospitals that provide services to the NHS. You may also choose your clinical team led by a consultant or named healthcare professional. 

GP surgeries tend to refer to local hospitals and services, however if you want to be referred somewhere else or if you want your doctor to see if there is another hospital that can see you more quickly, ask your GP. If your GP thinks there is a clinical reason why you shouldn’t go somewhere else, they will tell you.

For more information see www.tamesideandglossopccg.org/your-health/patient-choice

COVID-19 and Long COVID

There are regular vaccination hubs around the borough, and additional pop-up clinics. If you would like 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

A long COVID guide has been produced by the ME Association. A free copy can be obtained from their website at https://meassociation.org.uk/product/long-covid-me-cfs/