In this issue:

• Healthwatch Tameside board members
• Bone health and fracture prevention
• Worried about cancer?
• The Anthony Seddon Fund activities
• The Together Centre activities
• 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

If you want to give us your feedback via one of our surveys, please go to www.healthwatchtameside.co.uk/share-your-views

Thank you.

Healthwatch Tameside board members

Do you have a good knowledge of your local community in Tameside?

Do you want to help improve health and social care services in Tameside?

We have some vacancies on our board.

If you are interested in this volunteering opportunity, and want to find out more, please get in touch with us. We will send details of what the role is about, and what is expected of our board members. If you have any questions, we would be happy to chat to you about them.  Phone us on 0161 667 2526, or email info@healthwatchtameside.co.uk.                  

We asked one of our current board members to tell us a bit about their experience.

“I became a Board member having been reassured that medical knowledge was not necessary - it was more important to have life experience and skills in order to 'fight the corner' and 'keep a watchful eye' on behalf of those using health and social care. I feel as a Board member, I can help to ensure that people are heard.  

There are, quite rightly, responsibilities being a Board member, but with the support and skills of my fellow board members and the manager and staff of Healthwatch there is much personal satisfaction from my role and I am proud to represent the community in this way.”

Bone health and fracture prevention

The Fracture Liaison Service Database (FLS-DB) team together with patient and carer panel members have worked collaboratively with the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA), the Royal College of General Practitioners (RGCP), the British Geriatrics Society (BGS) and the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) to develop the six golden rules video to help inform individuals about bone health and fracture prevention, and help to promote patient confidence when approaching doctors to ask for further investigations. The video can be watched at www.rcplondon.ac.uk/projects/outputs/six-golden-rules-video-resource

Additional information about bone health is also available on the website.

Worried about cancer? 

If you've got symptoms that you can't explain that are concerning you, your GP wants to hear from you.

It might be nothing to worry about, but if something is wrong, they can advise you safely on what to do next.

Even if you find it difficult to contact your GP, the NHS wants to help you, so please don't give up trying.

Here is a Greater Manchester video.

Appointments for cancer care are continuing. More information is available at www.gmhsc.org.uk/news/cancer-appointments-are-continuing-please-attend-if-you-are-asked-to/

The Anthony Seddon Fund activities

Supporting Mental Wellbeing in Tameside

For information about the groups and activities available, have a look at https://tasfund.org.uk/centre-activities/

The Together Centre activities

The Together Centre Charity provides support services for local families and communities within a Community Hub. Their ambition is to "support and encourage empowering positive outcomes whilst demonstrating inclusive and equal participation".

To find out more, have a look at the timetable.

COVID-19

For up-to-date information about the latest rules and guidance see www.tameside.gov.uk/coronavirus

All adults are being offered booster jabs (at least 3 months after the second jab). First and second jabs are also available.

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.