In this issue:

• Mental health report published
• Bee Active
• The Men's Room
• Complex fractures - NICE guidelines
• 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.

Mental health report published

This report provides feedback from the responses to our 'Mental health service users and carers survey'. To read the report see www.healthwatchtameside.co.uk/report/2022-04-21/mental-health-service-users-and-carers-survey-report

Over the summer we will be continuing with our mental health work. We will be repeating the survey we carried out in 2017, to see what effect the changes to mental health services available has made. The survey will be available online, on paper, and over the phone. We will also be visiting community groups and talking to people face-to-face to find out what they think.

Watch this space for the survey launch.

Bee Active

As the weather starts improving, and as part of a new ‘Bee Active’ active travel campaign, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) are encouraging people to get out cycling, walking, and wheeling this spring. Find out about:

• How far you can get from your home in just 15 minutes when cycling, walking, or wheeling, using an interactive map
• The GM cycle hire scheme
• Cycle training and maintenance courses
• The Cycle and Stride community group initiative
• GM Walking Festival

Advice and information is available at their dedicated active travel website: https://beeactive.tfgm.com/

The Men's Room

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR MEN IN DENTON

The Shed Tameside are planning a series of social activities for men in Tameside. These activities will include crown green bowling, sporting memories, musical memories, this week in history, the news hour, pub games, and walking groups.

For more information see The Shed Facebook page www.facebook.com/TheShedTameside/photos/a.1160070154136924/2623375151139743/

Complex fractures - NICE guidelines

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) are looking for patients and their unpaid carers to join the committee updating part of their guideline on complex fractures.

Specifically, the update of this guideline will look at whether negative wound pressure therapy (a treatment that involves drawing out fluid and infection from a wound to help it heal) is more effective compared to standard dressing therapy in people with an open fracture of their lower leg. 

If you, or anyone you know, have experience of this type of wound, please have a look at www.healthjobsuk.com/job/v4044757. Information about the role, and how to apply is included.

COVID-19

From 1 April 2022, there were changes to COVID-19 testing. Here is the information www.gov.uk/government/news/changes-to-covid-19-testing-in-england-from-1-april

For people with symptoms of respiratory illness, including COVID-19, there is information about what to do here www.gov.uk/guidance/people-with-symptoms-of-a-respiratory-infection-including-covid-19

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

There are regular vaccination hubs around the borough. If you would like more information about the location and opening times for each, see www.tameside.gov.uk/covidvaccine.  

For information about health related questions, see www.tamesideandglossopccg.org/local-services/coronavirus-accessing-primary-care/coronavirus-nhs-advice