In this issue:

• New surveys
• Adult social care non-residential charging policy consultation
• Choose to lose
• Kooth - resources for parents
• COVID-19

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.

New surveys

This week we have launched two new surveys about:

• Delays in non-urgent care
• Changes to the way people access health and care services

We'd love to hear about your experiences, and your thoughts about how you prefer to get help going forwards.

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

We are posting paper copies of the surveys to anyone on our mailing list where we do not have an email address.

If you would prefer to complete a survey over the phone, or on paper, you can email info@healthwatchtameside.co.uk, or give us a call on 0161 667 2526. We all work part-time. If you leave us a brief message with your name and phone number on our answerphone, we will call you back.

Thank you.

Adult social care non-residential charging policy consultation

Tameside Council is seeking views on proposed changes to the Council’s Adult Social Care Non-Residential Charging Policy. This consultation is open to all but they are particularly interested to hear the views of residents who receive adult social care and support services.

The consultation sets out the key changes proposed to the way Tameside Council charge for care and support services, such as care received at home or the Shared Lives scheme and support to manage finances provided by the Council.

They would like to hear your views on proposals that relate to:

• The Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG)
• The elements of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)/ Personal Independence Payment (PIP) care component that may be disregarded and;
• The introduction of an arrangement fee and an annual fee for setting up care for self-funders.

The closing date for this consultation is 23 December 2021. More information, and how to take part, can be found at www.tameside.gov.uk/tbc/ascnrcpc

Choose to lose

Be Well Tameside have partnered with Active Tameside’s ‘Live Active’ service to deliver local people a new and exciting approach to losing weight and becoming healthier. Working together they will support people, completely FREE, to lose weight with diet and physical activity following the NHS 12 week plan.

For more information about 'Choose to lose' see www.tamesideandglossopccg.org/your-health/care-navigation/tameside/be-well

Kooth provide a web based confidential mental health support service for young people aged 11 - 18. This can be found at www.kooth.com/

They have produced a brochure for parents which includes tips on how to talk to your children about how they are feeling.

COVID-19

Additional people can now get the booster COVID-19 vaccination. On the Tameside Council website it says "When it is the right time, people will receive an invitation to book an appointment for their vaccine. Please do not contact the NHS to get an appointment until you hear from the NHS." There must be a gap of at least 26 weeks since your 2nd jab.

There are regular vaccination hubs around the borough, additional pop-up clinics and a vaccination bus. 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