IRU- Friday 22nd September 2023

Welcome to this week's Information Round-up! 

September is in full swing and Stockport is as busy as ever with various events and organising for the upcoming months. Read below for information about health and social care access as the weather turns colder, as well as some great opportunities to attend events to learn more about how you can be involved in your health and social care services…including Healthwatch Stockport's own event which is taking place in 2 weeks time!

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Local Organisation Spotlight: Carecall 

Carecall’s standard offer is a 24hr Telemonitoring and Falls Response service (available to buy as ‘monitoring only’ or ‘monitoring and falls response’).

As a guide, most of the TEC / Service add-ons set out below are ‘on top’ of the standard service offer. Most of the TEC is dependent on the patient having a basic level of cover from Carecall.

As of 20th September 2023, the weekly fee for Carecall is £4 per week without the fall’s response service, and £7 per week with it (additional charges of £1.50 per week apply for a SIM card unit and/or an extra person being covered at the same address).

For both service types, we offer the first 6-weeks FREE (for new users only) and installation is FREE. For anyone purchasing the falls response service, a FREE keysafe is supplied and fitted also – to ensure easy access in an emergency. At every installation our trained TEC installers carry out an assessment of the patient’s home environment and health needs, and they match up the necessary TEC to the person.

The service is offered on a ‘self-funded’ basis – so the patient pays Carecall directly (Money Advice Service is offered). In some circumstances it may be possible for Stockport Council to provide funding for this service – you should ask the nominated Social Worker to consider this if a patient says they are unable to pay for the service themselves. They will determine if the person is eligible and notify Carecall directly.

 https://www.stockport.gov.uk/telecare-monitoring-and-alerts

British Heart Foundation for funding a defibrillator to community groups

Message from Marie OMalley:

British Heart foundation is offering funding for community groups to receive a fully – funded defibrillator to eligible community groups.

Some examples of funded groups are:

• Church organisations and other places of worship.
• Social clubs
• Parish councils
• Local social enterprises
• Sports clubs

To be eligible for a funded defibrillator you must also:

• Keep the defib outside in a cabinet which does not need a key or a code – so anyone can access it at any time.
• Be able to apply to supply electricity so that the defib is kept at the right temperature in the cold weather to protect it from damage.
• Have a clear need for the device ( be in a busy location) or where there is no pad within 200 metres.
• Be committed to train local community in CPR using the free online training.

If you would like to ask any further questions please contact defibs@bhf.org.uk – or Marie OMalley,

What we know is our more local areas in the communities need defibs. 

Cardiac arrests can affect anyone at any time.  30,000 occur outside of hospitals across the uk each year. Currently less than 10% of these people experiencing cardiac arrests in the community survive.

With speedy emergency treatment, chances of survival shoots up to a whooping 80%.

Volunteer dog trainers needed

Dog Lovers Wanted!  

Could you help train one of our puppies?

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People are looking for amazing volunteers, around the UK, to help train their young dogs who will go on to help deaf people leave loneliness behind and to reconnect with life. For more information please follow this link -  https://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/volunteering/puppy-training/

GM Cancer Prostate Cancer Awareness van

Message from NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care:

We know some men are at a higher risk of prostate cancer. This includes men over 45 who are black and those whose father/brother had prostate cancer under the age of 55.

If this includes you and would like to discuss your risk with a clinician, the NHS roadshow #ThisVanCan will be found on the dates at the locations below.

Appointments must be booked in advance, call 07974 074 111. More info:  https://bit.ly/ThisVanCan-GP or contact your GP to discuss your risk.”

The Stockport dates and locations of the GM Cancer Prostate Cancer Awareness van “This Van Can” are listed below.

• Monday, 25 September – Morrisons, Stockport Road West, Bredbury, Stockport SK6 2BN
• Wednesday, 27 September – Stockport County FC, Edgeley Park, Hardcastle Road, Edgeley, Stockport SK3 9DD
• Saturday, 30 September – Portwood Tesco, Tiviot Way, Portwood Roundabout, Stockport SK1 2BT

Development of a new NHS Outpatient Care strategy

Message from The Patients Association:

NHS England, Royal College of Physicians, and Patients Association Outpatient Strategy Project

As part of the development of a new NHS Outpatient Care strategy we are keen to hear the views of patients and carers about your most recent experience of outpatient care, including any examples of best practice and suggestions for improvement.

Definition of outpatient services: If you have an appointment in a hospital or clinic but do not need to stay overnight, it means you're being treated as an outpatient or a day patient. You may be having an appointment for treatment, diagnosis or a procedure.  It includes scans, x-rays, blood tests, and appointments with hospital specialists including follow up appointments after discharge from a hospital stay.

Complete survey here

Help shape European brain health and dementia-related research

Message from Alzheimer Europe:

This World Alzheimer's Day Alzheimer Europe invites people to help shape European brain health and dementia-related research.

• Alzheimer Europe is seeking people to join its Public Involvement Pool and help shape European research projects
• Members of this new PI Pool will have the opportunity to provide input on different aspects of ongoing research initiatives

The organisation is particularly keen to reach:

a.    people with no memory or cognitive problems interested in brain health and dementia research and people with Mild Cognitive Impairment

b.    people from minority and marginalised groups and cultures (with or without cognitive problems)

Alzheimer Europe therefore particularly welcomes:

• Older people with no memory or cognitive problems, interested in brain health and dementia research.
• People at higher risk of dementia or with memory or other cognitive problems (e.g. Mild Cognitive Impairment)
•  Additionally, the organisation is keen to include the perspectives of members of minority and marginalised groups and cultures (with or without cognitive problems),such as people from minority ethnic groups, the LGBTQ+ community or those living in rural areas or residential care settings.

Find out more here.

Sector3

National Autistic Society

LGBTQ+ Bulletin

GM BAME Network