In this issue:
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.
The Helping Hand campaign is running a series of sessions over the next month to provide support, information and advice to residents being affected by the cost-of-living.
A lot of residents are still feeling the pinch in their pockets and Helping Hand are providing them with advice on money management, benefit support, pension credit, energy efficiency and support with bills, health and wellbeing, housing support and support into employment.
Helping Hand have the following sessions running in April:
Visit the Helping Hand section on the Tameside Council website for more information: https://www.tameside.gov.uk/helpinghand
Childhood immunisation campaign 2024
The NHS are running a free childhood vaccine programme, please see below for more details:
We know your child’s health is your top priority and so protecting them from serious disease is incredibly important. That is why the NHS offers a free childhood vaccine programme, safeguarding your child from certain illnesses.
Vaccines work by causing the body’s immune system to remember the specific infection targeted in each vaccine. If your child comes into contact with an infection and they have had their vaccines, your child’s body will recognise that infection and quickly respond to fight off diseases like measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough and more. Because vaccines have been used so successfully in England, they prevent more than 5,000 deaths and more than 100,000 hospital admissions each year.
Sadly, England no longer has the levels of population immunity recommended by the World Health Organisation of 95%, and this has led to increased risk for those who are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated. It means that infections like measles and whooping cough are rising.
Such infections can have a huge impact on your child’s life. They can miss out on school due to time spent unwell, be hospitalised, and even experience life-long complications, disability and in some cases tragically can cause death.
We understand that you may have questions about vaccine safety and effectiveness. All childhood vaccinations offered by the NHS have been used in millions of children and have an excellent safety record. All health authorities worldwide agree that immunisation is the safest way to protect our children’s health.
If you do have any questions, do not hesitate to speak to your GP or health visitor – they will be happy to address any concerns and guide you through the vaccination schedule.
Although it important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection, if you or your child have missed a vaccine, it is never too late to contact your GP to check if you can catch up.
Please visit www.nhs.uk/childhoodvaccinations to find out more.
TMBC Drug and Alcohol survey
Tameside Council Public Health team are looking to further understand how drugs and alcohol affect the residents of Tameside.
Please complete their 10-minute survey to share your thoughts on local drug and alcohol issues, local services and how to improve them to better Tameside’s health. The survey will remain open until Thursday 18th April.
To complete the survey, visit this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TMBCDrugsAlcoholSurveyPublic
Tameside Ophthalmology Services survey
NHS Greater Manchester wants to hear about your experience of using eye care services in Tameside.
You might also know them as ophthalmology services. Give your view on what was good, or could be better, about the service you received along with your ideas on what the service should look like in the future.
Visit this link to complete the survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/tameside-eye-care. The closing date is Friday 10th May 2024.
If you need help completing the survey or would prefer to arrange a telephone call to give your answers, please email gmhscp.engagement@nhs.net.
Healthwatch is the new independent consumer champion created to gather and represent the views of the public. Healthwatch will play a role at both national and local level and will make sure that the views of the public and people who use services are taken into account. This email has been sent by Healthwatch Tameside, part of the Action Together family. Registered office 131 Katherine Street, Ashton-under-Lyne. This email and any attachments are believed to be free from viruses but it is your responsibility to carry out all necessary virus checks and Action Together accepts no liability in connection herewith. If received in error Action Together can be contacted by phone on 0044 (0)161 339 4985 or via email info@healthwatchtameside.co.uk Please don't print this email unless you really need to. | |||
