In this issue:

• Outreach
• Ambulance Academy
• Warm welcome hubs
• Community organisation activities
• Women Voices Lead
• COVID-19 - winter vaccinations

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.

Outreach 

We are pleased to announce that we have re-started our regular outreach sessions in Tameside Hospital. We will be in Hartshead South entrance between 1pm and 3pm on 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. Our thanks go to the hospital staff for being supportive of our work.

If you are visiting the hospital for any reason at these times, please stop and have a chat with us. We will be collecting feedback about your experience of using any health and care services (not just the hospital). We want to know what went well, as well as anything that would have improved the experience for you.

Ambulance Academy

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) have launched a free educational resource to help guide children and young people on how to use their services.

It is called the Ambulance Academy. You can find out more about about careers in the ambulance service, being healthy, learning lifesaving skills and staying safe. It is set out in three sections: children, young adults, and resources for adults, teachers and carers of young people.

The web page is at www.nwas.nhs.uk/ambulance-academy/

Warm welcome hubs

A list of places you can go during the day to keep warm is being put together, and can be found at www.tameside.gov.uk/helpinghand/warm-welcome-hub.

Each location is slightly different in what they offer - this could be warm drinks, food, a quiet space, etc. The above website shows what is available at each location.

Community organisation activities

TOG Mind - for information about what groups and activities are available, have a look at www.togmind.org/wellbeing-hub

Together Centre - a community centre in Dukinfield. To find out what is happening this week, click on the Featured picture at the top of their Facebook page www.facebook.com/TheTogetherCentre/

Women Voices Lead

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is recruiting a new honorary Women Voices Lead (WVL). This appointment is for a three-year term beginning in January/ February 2023. This is not a staff role, but an independent, honorary post with a commitment of around 12-15 hours per week.

For more information see www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/rcog-engagement-listening-to-patients/rcog-womens-network/women-voices-lead/

The deadline for applications is 15 December 2022.

COVID-19 - winter vaccinations

Invitations are being sent to people who are eligible for their booster Covid vaccinations (in the same order as the first jabs). When you receive your invitation, you will receive information about booking an appointment in Tameside. The national Covid centres are also open. For more information, and to see who is eligible, see www.tameside.gov.uk/covidvaccine and www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

Information about the Covid autumn booster can be found at www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-autumn-booster-resources/a-guide-to-the-covid-19-autumn-booster

A leaflet has been produced for adults with suspected or confirmed coronavirus who have not been admitted to hospital. You can read it at www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/12/C1634-suspected-Coronavirus-important-information-to-keep-you-safe-at-home-V8_210422.pdf

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