In this issue:

• Talk to Healthwatch
• Health and wellbeing events
• Barriers to access
• Targeted lung health check
• COVID-19 and Long COVID

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.

Talk to Healthwatch

We want to hear your thoughts about any recent contacts you have had with health and care services. 

• What went well?
• Are you able to access the care you need?
• What could be improved?

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

If you would like to complete a survey over the phone, or on paper, please give us a call on 0161 667 2526, or email info@healthwatchtameside.co.uk. Alternatively, you can tell us what you think by phone or by email. If you leave us a brief message with your name and phone number on our answerphone, we will call you back.

We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.

We have been notified of the following:

Turtle Song: singing and songwriting for people living with dementia and their carers/companions – the project is free and takes place once a week for 9 weeks, starting on 7 October from 2.15pm-4pm at Chetham’s School of Music. The venue is fully accessible and residents from Tameside and Glossop are invited. For further information, please call 020 8964 5060 or email charlotte@turtlekeyarts.org.uk

Barriers to access

Diversity Matters North West are conducting a survey on the “Barriers to Accessing Information” that people face across Tameside and Glossop. This is particularly in relation to language barriers, and in the context of Covid-19, but barriers could also include digital access, gate-keeping, “red-tape”, difficulties identifying the correct service, slow response times by services etc.

The Tameside and Glossop Inequalities Reference Group have invited Diversity Matters North West to conduct this survey as part of a wider research and engagement process into these barriers across the locality. The responses, analysis and recommendations will inform an action report for decision makers to consider and make improvements based on the results. https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=NWSF4YGBkE2b_yKaOPPjCt05wS4ucD5Bgxs4OF0NJnlUQkxIUU5aVUtSWFlRQzVYVlRRTEkzMUhVVi4u

This programme has gone live. The initiative means more than 58,000 people aged from 55 to under 75 in Tameside and Glossop will be invited to a lung health check by their GP, and over 65% will be eligible for an appointment based on their smoking history. Over two years, this will identify an estimated 400 cases of lung cancer earlier than otherwise would have been.

More information can be found at https://mft.nhs.uk/lunghealthcheck/tameside-and-glossop-targeted-lung-health-check/

COVID-19 and Long COVID

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

BMI Healthcare are running a free online event about Long COVID. For more information, and to book, see www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/long-covid-myths-and-facts-tickets-172026193977

A long COVID guide has been produced by the ME Association. A free copy can be obtained from their website at https://meassociation.org.uk/product/long-covid-me-cfs/