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. Your community needs you – NHS call for volunteer army

    Advice and Information -

    Protect your loved ones and protect the nation, volunteer to help those that are most vulnerable to the effects of coronavirus (COVID-19) stay at home. Join the army of NHS volunteers today.

  14. Coronavirus: What does shielding mean?

    News -

    Patients most vulnerable to COVID-19 have been asked to ‘shield’. Here's some more information to help you understand what shielding means in practice.

  15. What's the difference between social distancing, self-isolation and shielding?

    Advice and Information -

    Self-isolation, social distancing and shielding have been introduced by the Government to help you and your loved ones stay safe from COVID-19. Find out what they mean in practice and what applies to you.

  16. Rochdale Infirmary remodelled to enable life saving cancer surgery to continue during COVID - 19

    News -

    Cancer patients across Greater Manchester are continuing to access vital surgery despite the challenges being faced by NHS teams across the region during Covid19 crisis.

  17. Loved ones invited to send a letter to patients at local hospitals to keep in touch during the Covid - 19 crisis

    News -

    The Northern Care Alliance NHS Group (NCA) has launched a new way for families to keep in contact with their loved ones in hospital during the Covid - 19 crisis.

  18. Healthwatch Rochdale join with voluntary and community organisations to ensure the public get the information and advice they need in Covid - 19.

    News -

    Healthwatch Rochdale is leading the way in ensuring local residents get the help, advice and information they need during Covid- 19 thorough their #TogetherRochdale bulletin and campaign.

  19. Cancer and coronavirus

    Advice and Information -

    If you have cancer, it’s understandable you might feel anxious about COVID-19. The Government and the NHS have both confirmed that cancer treatment should continue to be prioritised during the response to the COVID-19 emergency.

  20. What is domestic abuse and how can I get support?

    Advice and Information -

    If you are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse, or are worried about someone who might be, find out where you can go for advice and help.

  21. The Carers Hub Rochdale are still providing support for carers during Covid -19

    News -

    The Carers Hub Rochdale are still operating a full service and are welcoming new referrals.

  22. Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can't do

    News -

    The government has set out its plan to return life to as near normal as we can, for as many people as we can, as quickly and fairly as possible in order to safeguard livelihoods, but in a way that is safe and continues to protect our NHS.

  23. COVID-19: How has your health and care been affected?

    News -

    We are all, as a community in the borough of Rochdale in a very difficult time at present.

  24. Accessible coronavirus testing centre in Rochdale town centre

    News -

    A new pilot ‘walk through’ coronavirus testing site is opening at the Town Hall car park off Packer Street in Rochdale town centre. The facility is for people displaying coronavirus symptoms who do not have access to a vehicle.

  25. What to do if you have a dental problem during COVID-19 pandemic

    News -

    If you have a dental issue during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that you know how to access help when you need it.

  26. Million milestone as vital equipment protects frontline staff

    News -

    Over a million items of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) have been distributed across the borough of Rochdale to support frontline care staff during the coronavirus pandemic.

  27. How to get an NHS dentist appointment during COVID-19

    Advice and Information -

    Routine dental care has had to change because of COVID-19, with social distancing rules making it difficult to access services. Here’s some information on how to access an NHS dentist during the pandemic.

  28. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected Black and Asian people according to latest PHE report. Tell us your experience

    Blog -

    Share your story to help services learn and improve from the experiences of people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds during COVID-19.

  29. Heading out of covid ‘smear slump’

    News -

    New figures released to mark Cervical Screening Awareness Week earlier this month showed that the number of smear tests carried out in Greater Manchester during the coronavirus pandemic has fallen by more than 80% since lockdown began on 23 March.

  30. Q&A - new shielding guidance

    Advice and Information -

    This guidance has been put together by the government to help answer any questions you may have around the new shielding guidance that came into force from 6th July.

  31. 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.

  32. COVID 19: What you need to know when visiting a care home

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at what the guidance around visiting your loved ones in care homes means in practice.

  33. #TogetherRochdale - Your Local Health and Community Services Working in Partnership

    Advice and Information -

    Local Information and advice from #TogetherRochdale.

  34. Local people share their lived experience of the Covid – 19 Pandemic.

    Report -

    Healthwatch Rochdale have carried out a survey in partnership with Rochdale Borough Council to understand how local residents where coping during the Covid - 19 pandemic.

  35. 590 people's stories of leaving hospital during COVID-19

    Report -

    Healthwatch England's new report with the British Red Cross looks at how well the new hospital discharge policy is working for patients, carers and healthcare professionals.

  36. Covid 19 : New National Restrictions from 5 November

    Advice and Information -

    The government have introduced new national restrictions on what you can and cannot do from Thursday 5th November.

  37. COVID-19 vaccine: what you need to know

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look about what you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccination programme including how you will know when it's your turn, where to go, and why it's important.

  38. Rochdale residents speaking positively to Healthwatch Rochdale about the local Covid 19 vaccination programme.

    News -

    Residents in the Rochdale borough who have received their COVID-19 vaccination have been contacting Healthwatch Rochdale to speak about their experience.

  39. Healthwatch Rochdale want to hear your thoughts and views on the Covid 19 vaccine.

    News -

    Healthwatch Rochdale are carrying out a survey to gather information about people’s attitudes to COVID 19 vaccines and communications across the Rochdale borough.

  40. Which COVID-19 test is right for you?

    Advice and Information -

    Not all COVID tests are the same so it’s important to get the right one. Find out where to go to get tested, which test is most suitable for you, and what to do if you get a positive COVID-19 test result.

  41. Extra vaccine clinics to boost take-up and stop spread of new Covid variants

    News -

    Extra vaccination clinics are being put in place across the borough of Rochdale as the drive to increase vaccination take-up and stop the spread of the disease continues.

  42. COVID-19 in Greater Manchester: a joint report

    Report -

    Healthwatch Rochdale has come together with the nine other Healthwatches in Greater Manchester to compile a report highlighting the views of residents on the challenges faced during the coronavirus pandemic.

  43. Healthwatch Rochdale publish report showing how local people want to receive information from organisations.

    Report -

    Healthwatch Rochdale have published a report after speaking with 710 residents to discover how they would like to receive information and advice from local health & social care providers.

  44. Managing your mental health as lockdown eases

    Advice and Information -

    The current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may cause you to feel worried, anxious, or scared. Read our tips to looking after your wellbeing.

  45. How to look after your mental health while self-isolating with COVID-19

    Advice and Information -

    The current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may cause you to feel worried, anxious, or scared. Read our tips to looking after your wellbeing when self-isolating.