1. Five steps to follow when choosing a care home

    Advice and Information -

    Finding the best care home for you or a loved one can be difficult. We’ve pulled together some of the best tips provided by the NHS and other organisations in England to help you make the right choice.

  2. CQC books testing appointments for nearly 12,500 care staff and rolls out support measures for social care - while highlighting importance of safety culture at time of “unimaginable pressure”

    News -

    On behalf of the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has been contacting adult social care providers to book appointments for their staff to be tested for COVID-19.

  3. Reminder that domestic abuse help is available

    News -

    People living with domestic abuse can still access support services, despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

  4. Six things you should expect from social care support

    Advice and Information -

    People have told us they want to feel listened to and involved in decisions about their social care. Here are six things you should expect from care services, according to new guidelines.

  5. Healthwatch Rochdale publish report detailing people’s experience of the closure of the ‘Moving on Service’ in Middleton

    Report -

    Healthwatch Rochdale have published a report after speaking with 42 service users of the Moving on Service about how its closure has affected them.

  6. What is adult social care?

    Advice and Information -

    Do you or a loved one need help with social care? Read the article below and find out answers to key questions about who can access adult social care and how to pay for it.

  7. Healthwatch in Greater Manchester publish their Annual Report 2022-23

    Report -

    Healthwatch in Greater Manchester publish its first Annual Report which highlights their activities over the past year and the impact the independent network has achieved.

  8. Alkrington Hub Consultation

    Report -

    A report outlining what services local people want to see in the new Alkrington Community Hub.

  9. What services do local people want to see at the new Alkrington Hub?

    News -

    Healthwatch Rochdale have published a report outlining what services local people want to see in the new Alkrington Community Hub.

  10. Healthwatch Rochdale supports the Homeless and young people across the Rochdale borough this Christmas

    News -

    This Christmas Healthwatch Rochdale have chosen to donate to the “Reaching Out” event for the homeless and families in need organised by staff at Rochdale Care Organisation and to the Rochdale Borough Council Rochdale Giving Back: Christmas toy appeal in place of their usual tradition of sending Christmas cards.

  11. Share your experience of health and social care via text message.

    News -

    Text Healthwatch Rochdale on 07520645142 to share your experience of using health and social care services in the Rochdale borough.

  12. What should you expect from home care services?

    Advice and Information -

    The number of people being cared for in their own homes is increasing but what should you expect from home care services?

  13. Healthwatch Rochdale share local people's views on GP appointments with the NHS

    Report -

    Healthwatch Rochdale has shared local people's views on accessing GP appointments with the lead local NHS organisation, Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (HMR CCG).

  14. Healthwatch Rochdale publishes findings and recommendations from Enter and View visit at The Village Medical Centre

    Report -

    Healthwatch Rochdale, has today published a report containing findings and recommendations from an Enter and View visit that took place at The Village Medical Centre, Peel Street, Littleborough, OL15 8AQ.

  15. Registering with your GP: understanding your rights

    Advice and Information -

    People have told us they can have problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are refused the right to register.

  16. Four questions to get the most out of conversations with your Doctor

    Advice and Information -

    Feel in control of your healthcare with these four questions and make a decision that's right for you.

  17. Four questions to get the most out of conversations with your doctor

    Advice and Information -

    We know from our conversations with the public that some patients don't feel involved in decisions made about their care. We also know that some patients report feeling rushed during appointments and struggle to make themselves heard.

  18. Healthwatch Rochdale make recommendations to help improve GP digital services based on patient views.

    Report -

    Healthwatch Rochdale has published a report with 6 recommendations to help improve the patient experience when using digital services provided by GP practices in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale.

  19. Rochdale Health Alliance latest update in regards to GP appointments in Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton and Pennines

    Advice and Information -

    Due to the change in national guidance for managing Coronavirus, please note that Practices have been advised to move to a total triage first system.

  20. GP practices join the digital age due to COVID-19

    News -

    GPs and practice staff have transformed the way they give care to their patients due to the need to protect patients and staff from the risk of coronavirus and to maintain social distancing.

  21. More GP appointments to be offered face-to-face to those who need it

    News -

    NHS England has issued new guidance to GP practices across the country on facilitating more face-to-face appointments for patients.

  22. GP practices open for business

    News -

    GP practices in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale are still providing all the care and more, since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The 36 practices in the Rochdale borough have continued to work hard to support the health and care needs of their patients,

  23. Help improve GP websites by joining our focus group and get a £25 shopping voucher for taking part.

    News -

    Healthwatch Rochdale are holding a focus group, giving local people the chance to influence change, after carrying out reviews of all local GP websites.

  24. Let us know your views on accessing GP services online.

    News -

    We are asking local people to share their experience of using their GP practice website to access GP services online.

  25. How many Rochdale borough GP practices have an active Patient Participation Group?

    Report -

    Healthwatch Rochdale have published their findings on Patient Participation Groups (PPG) in Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale & the Pennines.

  26. Join your local Patient Participation Group (PPG)

    News -

    Have a say in how your GP practice is delivered by signing up to your GP practice's Patient Participation Group (PPG).

  27. Measles vaccinations in Rochdale survey

    Advice and Information -

    You may have heard that cases of measles are on the increase in England. Healthwatch Rochdale wants to get a better understanding of the reasons why people do or do not have measles vaccinations.

  28. 10 top tips to get the most out of your GP appointment

    Advice and Information -

    We know from our conversations with the public that some patients report feeling rushed during appointments and struggling to make themselves heard. Here are some tips that could help you get the most out of visiting your GP.

  29. Share For You uses CareCentric to make sharing records a reality

    News -

    People living in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale are benefitting from new technology that is allowing their health and social care records to be shared securely with professionals involved in their care.

  30. Rochdale residents given the opportunity to share their views on the scale and nature of alcohol harm in Greater Manchester.

    News -

    Healthwatch Rochdale have facilitated a 'Greater Manchester Big Alcohol Conversation' with a group of isolated and underrepresented Rochdale residents, allowing their views and opinions to be used in identifying actions that will help tackle alcohol related harm.

  31. The NHS in England has published a ten year plan setting its priorities for the future.

    News -

    The Government has revealed its new NHS Long Term Plan setting out its priorities for the next 10 years.

  32. People's Real Life Experience of NHS and Social Care set out in New Report to MPs

    Report -

    In his first annual report to Parliament as Chair of Healthwatch, Sir Robert Francis looks beyond health and social care performance statistics to explore how people are experiencing care day-to-day across England.

  33. £1.3 billion: the staggering annual cost of alcohol to Greater Manchester revealed as Mayor Andy Burnham invites residents to have their say on tackling the harm

    News -

    Alcohol harm reaching further into our communities than commonly recognised, with higher earners the most likely to drink beyond recommended limits

  34. Help shape Healthwatch Rochdale priorities!

    News -

    Healthwatch Rochdale, the local independent consumer champion for Health and Social Care services in the Rochdale borough, are conducting a survey to help us establish our priorities for the coming year.

  35. Signs of Improvement but concerns remain about the safety and quality of independent ambulance services

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is calling on independent ambulance services, commissioners and the wider system to do more to make sure patients are safe, following concerns identified during its inspections.

  36. Medicine for Members Chemotherapy Talk

    News -

    The Royal Oldham Hospital is inviting local residents and trust members to join them for a free talk to find out more about chemotherapy services.

  37. Join Royal Oldham Hospital for their free Endometriosis Talk – 8th May 2019

    News -

    The Royal Oldham Hospital is inviting local residents and trust members to join them for a free talk to find out more about endometriosis.

  38. Thank you: Over 235 people told us what they think would make the NHS better

    News -

    We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has shared their feedback with us about the local implementation of the NHS Long Term Plan.

  39. Join The Royal Oldham Hospital for their Christie at Oldham Open Day and Tour – 8th June 201

    News -

    The Royal Oldham Hospital is inviting local residents and trust members to join them for a free open day and behind the scenes tour of The Christie at Oldham.

  40. Royal Oldham diabetes team invites local residents to free diabetes talk - 5th September

    News -

    The Royal Oldham Hospital is inviting local residents and trust members to join them for a free talk on 5th September to find out more about the diabetes service.

  41. Healthwatch Forum - Care Home Information Day

    News -

    Healthwatch Rochdale hosted their first forum of 2019, with the theme of ‘Choosing a Care Home’ at the lighthouse project in Middleton.

  42. Healthwatch Rochdale work in partnership with Hopwood Hall media students to raise awareness of the Healthwatch Service

    News -

    Healthwatch Rochdale has worked in partnership with Hopwood Hall College media students to produce a video showing how the Healthwatch service can give Rochdale residents a voice in health and social care provision.

  43. Healthwatch Rochdale receives highly commended recognition at national awards

    News -

    We are pleased to announce Healthwatch Rochdale has been recognised as highly commended in the outstanding achievement category at the 2019 Healthwatch Network Awards.

  44. Our public Board Meeting October 2019 - supporting materials

    Report -

    Find out what happened at our public Board Meeting.

  45. Safeguarding Children’s Partnership makes October the month for families to focus on early help and support

    News -

    The borough’s safeguarding partners are coming together throughout October to share help, advice and practical tips for parents/carers and families at an earlier point to support them in being thriving, happy families.

  46. Do you need help travelling to NHS services?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services.

  47. Six ways health services can improve waiting rooms

    Advice and Information -

    Here are six steps that people have told us health and social care services can take to provide a better environment while they wait.

  48. Springhill Hospice Education Team have been nominated for national care award

    News -

    The education team at Springhill Hospice have overcome stiff competition to make the final of the Skills for Care Accolades awards which rewards social care organisations who invest in the workforce so they can offer high quality services.

  49. Become a Dementia Friend at Healthwatch Rochdale’s Information session and help Rochdale be a more dementia friendly community.

    News -

    Healthwatch Rochdale would like to invite you to attend their Dementia Friends information session on Thursday 16th January 1pm -3pm at Rochdale Connections Trust, 60 Drake Street, Rochdale, OL16 1PA.