1. Our public Board Meeting March 2020 - supporting materials

    Report -

    Find out what happened at our public Board Meeting.

  2. Healthwatch Rochdale are withdrawing the public element of the Healthwatch Rochdale Board Meeting

    News -

    Following advice from Healthwatch England in relation to Coronavirus, we are currently reviewing our public engagement work planned for the next two weeks.

  3. Healthwatch Rochdale Service Update: Coronavirus (COVID 19) guidance document

    News -

    Healthwatch Rochdale are today, Friday 13th March 2020, sharing a Coronavirus (COVID 19) guidance document which informs the steps we are taking, as a precaution, to protect the public, our volunteers, our staff and stakeholders.

  4. 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.

  5. Advice on social distancing from the Department of Health and Social Care

    Advice and Information -

    The department of Health and Social Care have provided advice on social distancing measures that everyone should be taking to reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).

  6. Healthwatch Rochdale Update to services- Covid-19 - Tuesday 17th March Update

    Advice and Information -

    Healthwatch Rochdale, with immediate effect will no longer be attending statutory meetings.

  7. HMR CCG Governing Body – public announcement

    News -

    NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (HMR CCG) is holding its next Governing Body meeting on Friday 20 March 2020.

  8. New measures to help in the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19)

    News -

    Measures are being introduced by Rochdale Borough Council to help protect the public from the developing coronavirus outbreak.

  9. Coronavirus is affecting my mental health – what can I do?

    Advice and Information -

    The current Coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic may cause you to feel worried, anxious, or scared. Read our seven steps to looking after your wellbeing while staying informed.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. Healthwatch Rochdale are the first Healthwatch organisation to openly pledge that they are Homeless Friendly

    News -

    Healthwatch are the independent champion for people who use health and social care services. They are here to make sure that those running services put people at the heart of care.

  13. What roles have 750,000 people volunteered for?

    News -

    The NHS Volunteer Responders recruitment initiative has recruited 750,000 people, three times higher than initially targeted. The drive has been temporarily paused to process applications and to get the volunteer army up and running.

  14. Healthwatch Rochdale publish their 2020-2023 business strategy outlining plans for achieving their vision, mission and values.

    News -

    Healthwatch Rochdale has published their new business strategy detailing their aims, goals and objectives for 2020 - 2023 in line with their newly defined vision of ‘a better health and social care experience for everyone one in Rochdale’.

  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. Healthwatch Rochdale step up for staff - Living wage accreditation

    News -

    Healthwatch Rochdale is the independent champion for people who use health and social care services in the Rochdale borough.

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. 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.

  21. 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.

  22. 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.

  23. 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.

  24. 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.

  25. Rochdale Infirmary Surgical Site Remodelling Goes from Strength to Strength

    News -

    Over the course of the past two months, developments have happened at pace at Rochdale Infirmary to ensure patients across the region requiring urgent cancer-related procedures are still able to safely receive that treatment during the pandemic.

  26. 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.

  27. 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.

  28. 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.

  29. Our public Board Meeting June 2020 - supporting materials

    Report -

    Public Questions for Healthwatch Rochdale Board Meeting on Thursday 11.06.20

  30. 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.

  31. 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.

  32. Reminder that domestic abuse help is available

    News -

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

  33. 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.

  34. 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.

  35. 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.

  36. Healthwatch Rochdale Annual Report shows how sharing your experience made a difference in 2019/20

    Report -

    Healthwatch Rochdale has published their 2019/20 Annual Report ‘Guided by you’ demonstrating how the people of the Rochdale borough have made a difference to local NHS and social care services.

  37. Most patients are positive about their hospital care, but discharge delays and access to support once home remain a concern – particularly for the frail

    News -

    The majority of people who stayed as an inpatient in hospital were happy with the care they received, had confidence in the doctors and nurses treating them and felt their fundamental needs were met, according to a national survey from the CQC,

  38. Help health and social care services recover from COVID-19 #BecauseWeAllCare

    News -

    Two-thirds of people in England say they are more likely to act to improve health and social care services since the outbreak of COVID-19. You can help improve care in Rochdale by joining our campaign #BecauseWeAllCare.

  39. 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.

  40. 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.

  41. Have you left hospital during COVID-19? Tell us your experience

    News -

    To respond to coronavirus, hospitals in the Rochdale borough had to quickly change. Tell us how this has affected the care you or your loved one has received.

  42. What can you expect when you’re discharged from hospital?

    Advice and Information -

    The usual processes the NHS follows to discharge you from hospital have changed during the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s what you can expect when it’s time to leave hospital.

  43. Report published following the first Rochdale Borough Equalities Assembly.

    News -

    The first Rochdale Equalities Report has been published following on from the borough’s first Equalities Assembly, a series of conversations to help improve our understanding of inequalities and how they can be reduced.

  44. 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.

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

    Advice and Information -

    Local Information and advice from #TogetherRochdale.

  46. Healthwatch Rochdale has a new future work plan created in response to the Covid 19 Pandemic.

    Report -

    Healthwatch Rochdale has developed a new work plan in response to Covid 19 to ensure that patient experience continues to shape local health and care services following changes brought by the pandemic.