Healthwatch Round Up - 26 June 2025
Welcome to this week's Healthwatch Stockport Information Round-up!
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Over the last week we have conducted two 'Enter and View' visits! One was our final GP visit, where we were looking at accessibility, particularly those with additional support needs.
The second was a return visit to Stepping Hill Discharge Lounge. Following our published 'Hospital to Home' report in 2024, which highlighted inconsistencies with the service, we looked to see if any of the recommendations from this report have been implemented.
Read our 'Hospital to Home' report
Our annual report is also currently being written, which is due to be published in the coming months. Our annual report highlights the impact Healthwatch Stockport has had over the last year in our local community. Click the link below to read our 2023-2024 report.
We have also attended the Public Involvement Network (PIN) this week where we found out details about the new NHS Greater Manchester consultation on IVF Cycles, which is looking at looking to making the number of IVF Cycles offered equal across the Greater Manchester boroughs. Further information on this can be found in our 'Have Your Say' section below!
Focus on: Love Your Lungs Week!
Love Your Lungs Week is about raising awareness of good lung health – and just how important they are!
Information from Asthma and Lung UK reveals that 1 in 5 of us will develop a lung condition in our lifetime. They also highlight that there are more people living in the UK with a lung condition than heart disease and cancer combined, and that lung conditions are the UK’s third biggest killer and a leading cause of death in children.
Visit their website to find out more about 'Love Your Lungs' week and the work Asthma and Lung UK do.
Healthwatch Research, Articles & Advice You May Have Missed
Information and Advice: Call Ahead or Check Online for Prescriptions
We've received a number of enquiries recently from people struggling to source prescribed medication from pharmacies. Following this issue being raised at a recent Pharmacy Needs Assessment meeting, we've found it's not just a local problem, but a national shortage of some medications.
We recommend that if you use a smaller, local pharmacy, you call ahead to ensure they have the medication you need. Alternatively, Boots offers a free online stock checker for their pharmacies.
Our response to the independent ADHD Taskforce's report
Details from Healthwatch England
After changes to ADHD services were needed Healthwatch were invited to be part of the new ADHD Taskforce, which was commissioned by NHS England in 2024. The first report has now been published
Patient transport service built around the needs of residents
Details from Healthwatch England
Thanks to residents speaking up, patients across Sussex can access a new non-emergency patient transport service.
Community feedback leads to better care for people with learning disabilities
Details from Healthwatch England
Thanks to participants speaking up, changes have been recommended to improve communication during annual health checks and COVID-19 vaccination appointments.
What's it like getting care when you don't have much money?
Details from Healthwatch England
People on lower incomes face barriers to getting the care they need. Healthwatch look at why it’s harder for people who earn less money to access NHS services.
Healthwatch Focus: Primary Care Services
We're continuing our work programme looking at how Stockport community access Primary Care if they have additional support needs. This could be a physical, neurodiverse or mental health need.
We're keen to hear from as many people as possible to ensure we have a good understanding of what goes well and what could be better. Do you have any experiences you can share with us? Get in touch.
info@healthwatchstockport.co.uk
0161 974 0753
Get Involved: Become a volunteer member!
It's easy to become a volunteer member with Healthwatch Stockport and support our work! Our volunteers support us in many different ways. From speaking to local people to find out what they think about health and care to supporting us remotely sharing your views which can influence decision makers within the health and care industry.
If you're keen to get involved, contact us:
0161 974 0753
Breathe Easy Group
Living with a lung condition? The Breathe Easy group is just right for you!
In honour of 'Love Your Lungs Week', we wanted to shine a light on the 'Breathe Easy' group which meets at St Peter's Church, Hazel Grove the third Friday of each month, 2pm-3:30pm.
Last month we had the pleasure of being invited along to do an information talk and were welcomed with open arms. Everyone at the meeting was so friendly and each had their own story to tell about what it's like living with a lung condition.
Alice In Wonderland Comes to Stepping Hill Hospital
Details from Stockport Foundation Trust
A beautiful new therapy garden with an Alice in Wonderland theme has officially opened at Stepping Hill Hospital. The charity-funded garden, designed to offer therapeutic support and a calming environment, is set to benefit patients with a wide range of long-term conditions, including those living with dementia and mobility issues.
CQC Appoints New Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integrated Care
Details from CQC
Chris Badger has been appointed as the Care Quality Commission's (CQC's) new Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integrated Care.
NHS launches drive to catch one of the most lethal cancers
Details from NHS England
NHS England have announced this week that GP practices are set to review patient records in a bid to offer urgent tests to people most at risk of pancreatic cancer.
GP teams, who are taking part in the pilot, will review patients records to identify people over 60 who have the key early warning signs of pancreatic cancer including being recently diagnosed with diabetes and sudden weight loss. They state that around half the people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer have also been diagnosed with diabetes recently.
GPs will be in contact with patients, as needed, to arrange urgent blood tests and CT scans to rule out cancer.
WorkWell in Stockport
Details from Stockport Council
WorkWell is a UK Government funded initiative that will run until March 2026, supporting over 800 Stockport residents.
It's a free service and the WorkWell team will help you stay in work or return to work if you’ve had to give up your job due to a health-related condition. This includes self-employed workers.
Fewer pregnant women smoking in Greater Manchester than ever before
Details from NHS Greater Manchester
Smoking during pregnancy hits record low in Greater Manchester, meeting national target for the first time! NHS Greater Manchester have shared this week that smoking while pregnant has fallen to just 5.9%, a drop from 13% in 2018. Greater Manchester's Smokefree programme is proving to be a great success!
Health checks important for people with severe mental illness
Details from NHS Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester exceeds national target for physical health checks for people with severe mental illness. An increase in health checks taking place for those with serious mental illness has been seen across all boroughs in Greater Manchester, including Stockport.
Supporting those with serious mental health illness is something we have been championing at Healthwatch Stockport. Maya, our Mental Health Engagement Officer, has been working throughout Stockport to collect lived experiences from our local communities to help support the Living Well in Stockport Model.
NEW Family Hubs App Launched
Details from Stockport Council
One Stockport have launched and app for parents, parents to be and carers. It's designed to be a central place for accessing expert advice, local information and personalised support.
For more information visit the One Stockport Family Hubs website
Have your say: Primary Care NHS Interpretation and Translation Services – survey closes Friday 11 July 2025
Details from NHS Greater Manchester
Have your say about local interpretation and translation services by taking part in a short survey, which closes on Friday 11 July 2025.
NHS Greater Manchester is inviting people to share their experience of using interpreters to access and use primary care services such as the GP, pharmacy, optician or dentist. This includes British Sign Language interpreters (BSL).
The NHS GM engagement team is also speaking to as many people as it can, across Greater Manchester, who speak the 10 most common languages. It is visiting community and voluntary groups and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) classes.
If you would like someone to come to your group to discuss interpreters and translation services generally, contact the engagement team by emailing Celeste Bain (Engagement Manager) at celeste.bain@nhs.net. NHS GM will aim to book interpreters to come with them to support any discussions and public engagement.
Have Your Say: Woman's Health Research Priorities (WHRP)
Details from Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG)
The RCOG are conducting a project to define a list of research questions, with the aim of influencing how research bodies focus on and fund research into the most pressing issues affecting women’s health in the future. The first survey was completed by over 1,400 people.
This second round looks at topics in women's health that were proposed in our first survey so we can come up with a list of the most pressing research questions in women's health. The survey aims to identify the most critical unanswered questions in women’s health. Visit the website for a video and full details of the project.
Have Your Say: IVF Cycles
Details from NHS Greater Manchester
NHS Greater Manchester want to make sure that every person who is eligible for NHS-funded in vitro fertilization cycles, more commonly known as IVF, receives the same number of tries (know as cycles), removing the current inequity.
The consultation is surrounding the number of cycles available to women aged 39 and under who meet the eligibility criteria.
For full details and a link to their online survey, visit the NHS Greater Manchester
Have Your Say: Men's Health Strategy for England
Details from Healthwatch England
Read the article
Have Your Say: Eye Care (Ophthalmology) Services
Details from NHS Greater Manchester
More people across Greater Manchester are needing ophthalmology services putting them under pressure and increasing waiting times. NHS Greater Manchester (GM) wants to hear from you as part of their evaluation aimed at improving care for people with eye disorders.
Have your say before 25 July. You can take part by:
- Attending a local engagement session (dates to be confirmed)
- One-to-one call: contact gmhscp.engagement@nhs.net or 07786 673762.
Ophthalmology services include the diagnosis and treatment of a range of eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and urgent eye problems. Many patients are referred into these services by GPs, optometrists or specialists managing conditions like Diabetes.
Stockport County Launching New Veterans Sessions
As part of Armed Forces Week Stockport County are launching two new sessions this week to support the Armed Forces community.
Veterans Walk and Talk
Wednesdays, 10-12pm
Woodbank Park
Armed Forces Pool and Darts
Mondays, 6-7:30pm
The Salisbury Club, Brinnington
Active Pathways Pilot from Life Leisure
This community led programme by Life Leisure is designed to help those who do little or no physical activity and struggle with isolation and low level mental health. It offers a bespoke, small step programme that is designed to raise participants confidence in physical activities.
Currently in a pilot phases it is being offered on a referral scheme to residents of Bramhall, Brinnington and Offerton.
Community Event Day
A full community event brought to you by the Stockport Continuing Education Service, encompassing volunteering, careers, financial and health advice!
Hoping to expand your community?
Pure Innovations offers a one-to-one, short term, service to those people looking to expand their social network and build independence. Visit the Stockport Support Hub website to make a referral.
Looking for a Career in Health and Social Care?
If you've ever considered a role in Health and Social Care, or would like to progress the one you already have, head along to Stockport Town Hall to see the wide variety of roles available.
Tuesday 8 July 2025, 10am - 1pm
Poland Syndrome Community Connection Online
If you or someone you know is affected by Poland Syndrome, join these friendly online zooms that will be taking place on a monthly basis.
Upcoming dates (7–8 PM UK time):
- Sun 29 June
- Sun 27 July
- Sun 28 September
- Sun 26 October
Stockport Celebrates Armed Forces Day
Details from Stockport Council
Stockport celebrates Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 28. This year's event will be a special occasion, with celebrations taking place across the town centre including a parade and various family activities. The Stockport Armed Forces Community Organisation (SAFCO) is leading the event, with support from Stockport Council and other partners.
- A parade will kick off from St Peter's Square at 10.45am and conclude in Market Place, with the salute being taken by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Manchester.
- Live entertainment from a stage in Market Place, with Strawberry Radio providing music.
- Various exhibits and activities will be available, including military displays, a WWIl trail for kids, and a replica Spitfire at Merseyway Shopping Centre
- The Stockport Air Raid Shelter Tours and Stockport Museums and Galleries Staircase House and Stockport Museum will be open for free visits.
- The event will feature a range of community stalls, vintage vehicle exhibits, and re-enactments.
July's Grief Cafe
A welcoming space for anyone struggling with grief.
Greater Manchester Moving - Sports Welfare Events
Visit the Greater Manchester Moving website for a full list of events and to sign up!
Further Events & Community Activities across the Borough
The King Trust Courses for 18-30 year olds
The Kings Trust have an amazing range of free courses on offer. Opportunities include:
- Explore - developing teamwork, leadership and communication
- Get Started with Women's Football
- Get into Retail with M&S
- Team - a 12-week personal development programme
- plus lots more!
Free and subsidised Cycling training
Visit the Bee Network website to find a full list of courses. Open to families, groups and one to one - there is something for everyone!
Suicide Awareness Training
If you work or volunteer in Stockport, Stockport Council have released further dates for their Suicide Awareness for Professionals training. All staff at Healthwatch Stockport have been on this training and highly recommend it!
Training Courses Coming Up
There are a variety of training courses including those from from Skills For Life (SFL) and others. Please see the attachments below:
Answer Cancer
For Men to Talk
Samaritans Stockport
Samaritans Stockport newsletter
Sector 3
Starting Point
Stockport Council
Stockport Race Equality - Migrant News
June Migrant News - Stockport Race and Equality Partnership
Stockport’s Community Newspaper
June issue out now
Stockport Family Hubs Newsletter
Latest issue here
Information and Advice
For up to date health and social care information, signposting and guidance, call Healthwatch Stockport on
0161 974 0753 10am - 2pm
info@healthwatchstockport.co.uk
Visit our Information and Signposting directory
Do you have a health or social care experience you want to share – how did your last appointment with your GP or dentist go? Are you happy or frustrated with the service you received – let us know so we can work with local services to influence better commissioners and better outcomes for you and your family.
