1. Patient Access Portal - improving access to your healthcare

    News -

    Healthwatch Manchester are delighted to be launching an information video aimed at improving awareness of the Patient Access Portal, a free online tool which allows remote access to a range of GP services for residents throughout Manchester.

  2. What you need to know when visiting a care home (new guidance for COVID-19)

    Advice and Information -

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

  3. 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.

  4. Where can I go to get help for my health out of hours?

    Advice and Information -

    Health issues unfortunately don't leave us alone at the weekend and people are often in need of medical assistance out of hours. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.

  5. Do you need help getting to hospital?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you travel to your hospital appointments.

  6. What should you expect when it comes to care for your teeth?

    Advice and Information -

    Four questions staff should ask you or a loved one about your oral health if you’re a care home resident, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence quick guide.

  7. Thinking about end of life care for you and your family

    Advice and Information -

    End of life care is support for people who are in the last months or years of their life. The guidance on the NHS website helps you know what to expect, how to plan ahead and how to manage your day to day decisions.

  8. Accessibility checklist for GP surgeries

    Advice and Information -

    Help make sure that your practice meets people’s accessibility requirements using this checklist from Healthwatch Slough.

  9. Where can I go for support for my mental health as a parent?

    Advice and Information -

    We've pulled together a number of services for parents in need of support for their mental health. Read more to find out where you can go to get the help you need.

  10. Seven pieces of information that you should expect to receive after being diagnosed with dementia

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's (NICE) quick guide to discussing and planning support following a dementia diagnosis.

  11. 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.

  12. Someone I love has died - where can I find support

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at our advice article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving.

  13. Should I see a pharmacist instead of a doctor?

    Advice and Information -

    ​​​​​​​Avoid the wait at the GP and know when to visit your pharmacist instead. Look at how your pharmacist can help you.

  14. The Right to Register

    Report -

    Healthwatch Manchester recently conducted an investigation through a ‘mystery shopper’ exercise, into the barriers faced registering with a GP practice in Manchester.

  15. Interpreter Needs of Manchester's Deaf Community

    Report -

    To coincide with the International Day of Sign Languages on the 23rd September we are showcasing these answers from a focus group we held last October with people from Manchester Deaf Centre.

  16. Sticking with IT

    Report -

    Healthwatch Manchester conducted an investigation into older Manchester residents; their experiences and approach in using online services to access health and care and towards online use in general.

  17. Impact Report: Extended Access to GP Appointments

    Report -

    This report aims to present the impact of our previous investigation into the extended access service (also known as the 7 day service).

  18. Meeting the Manchester Demand

    Report -

    This report aims to provide a review of access to Manchester’s Sexual Health Services.

  19. Children in Context

    Report -

    Manchester parents took part in a survey around healthy growth in children between 0 and 5 years of age. It examined their access to and uptake of healthy growth services for children and tested their understanding of healthy diet and exercise.

  20. Make the Call

    Report -

    A review was carried out of the 111 telephone operator service using the ‘mystery shopper’ model. Over a period of six months calls were made to the 111 number and a variety of scenarios presented to the operators.

  21. Looking after your wellbeing as a young person in Manchester

    Advice and Information -

    What is wellbeing?

    Many people have different views on the exact meaning of wellbeing because it is a personal experience. The Oxford dictionary defines wellbeing as ‘the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy’.

  22. What is Youthwatch Manchester working on?

    Blog -

    We have spent a little time recently discussing the topics we think need some attention.

  23. Homeless People's Services

    Advice and Information -

    A guide to accessing health services if you are homeless in Manchester

  24. Opticians & Eye Care

    Advice and Information -

    Regular eye tests are important because your eyes don’t usually hurt when something is wrong. A sight test is a vital health check for your eyes that can pick up early signs of eye conditions before you’re aware of any symptoms.

  25. Sexual Health (GUM) Services in Manchester

    Advice and Information -

    Sexual health services are also known as genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics. Services provided include Sexually Transited Infection (STI) treatment and medication, contraception provision, HIV testing and treatment, and emergency services.

  26. Crisis Card

    Advice and Information -

    In Crisis? Let us point you in the right direction - Free crisis services in Manchester

  27. Care and Support

    Advice and Information -

    The Care Act updates the law relating to care and support for adults and for carers, setting out one route for determining entitlements, which works for all groups of people in every circumstances.

  28. Choose and book your appointment

    Advice and Information -

    Choose and Book is a service that lets you choose your hospital or clinic and book your first appointment. You are allowed to choose any NHS hospital in England or area of residence, however in some circumstances your rights may be restricted.

  29. If you are concerned about dementia

    Advice and Information -

    Living with dementia at any time brings everyday challenges for the person and those around them.

  30. COVID-19: When and how to wear masks

    Advice and Information -

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently issued updated guidance for the use of masks for the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  31. Keeping Carers Healthy – NHS England’s New Resource

    Advice and Information -

    A practical guide to healthy caring is a new resource that provides information and advice to carers.

  32. Meet Obada: An insight into accessing healthcare as a refugee

    Blog -

    We spoke to Obada Obada Al-Hariri about his contribution to local community groups through volunteering and assisting with translation for fellow refugees and asylum seekers. Find out more about in this blog.

  33. Access to Pharmacies during COVID-19 - A statement from our colleagues at Greater Manchester Local Pharmaceutical Committee (GM LPC)

    News -

    A statement from our colleagues at Greater Manchester Local Pharmaceutical Committee (GM LPC) regarding the challenges posed by COVID-19.

  34. Healthwatch Manchester’s Volunteers Talk About Their Time With us

    News -

    Check out the views of Healthwatch Manchester's volunteers

  35. Keeping you informed about coronavirus

    Advice and Information -

    Providing you with the latest information about COVID-19. Please note: this is an evolving issue and advice is changing regularly. We will endeavour to update our website to correspond with the updated guidance.

  36. 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.

  37. Meet Jacqui: An insight into safeguarding in Manchester

    Blog -

    We spoke to Jacqui King about her work at Manchester’s safeguarding provision. Find out more about safeguarding in this blog.

  38. Thinking about giving blood?

    Advice and Information -

    What to expect when donating blood, including registering, preparing for your appointment and what happens on the day.

  39. How to look after your wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic

    Advice and Information -

    Everyone is under a lot of stress right now and you might be finding that social distancing and isolation measures are making difficult to feel safe and well.

  40. Diabetes care in Manchester

    Advice and Information -

    Diabetes is one of the most common diseases affecting all age groups. It is a condition that occurs when your body has trouble managing, storing and using the sugar in your blood.

  41. Mental Health Support

    Advice and Information -

    Mental health, emotional wellbeing and resilience is all about how we cope with what life throws at us. It concerns the way we feel about ourselves, conduct relationships, handle stress or deal with loss.

  42. Mental Health Services

    Advice and Information -

    Know where to go to get the advice you need about mental health services in Manchester.

  43. Board Minutes - May 2019

    Report -

    The board met on Tuesday 21st May 2019. Find out what was discussed here.

  44. Board Minutes - November 2019

    Report -

    The board met on Tuesday 19th November 2019. Find out what was discussed here.

  45. Board Minutes - January 2020

    Report -

    The board met on Tuesday 21st January 2020. Find out what was discussed here.

  46. Board Minutes - April 2020

    Report -

    The board met virtually on Tuesday 23rd April 2020. Find out what was discussed here.

  47. Board Minutes - June 2020

    Report -

    The board met virtually on Tuesday 16th June 2020. Find out what was discussed here.

  48. Lost in Crisis

    Report -

    This report displays our research into the access to mental health services for homeless people in Manchester. It includes the result of outreach done with homeless people and an analysis of the current NHS provision.