Healthwatch Rochdale to resume Information, Advice & Signposting surgeries across the borough

Healthwatch Rochdale

Healthwatch Rochdale is resuming their Information, Advice & Signposting (IAS) surgeries to give residents the opportunity to speak face to face with us about NHS & care services following the Covid-19 pandemic.

IAS surgeries have always been an essential part of the work of Healthwatch Rochdale but due to the pandemic surgeries have taken place periodically over the last two years following government guidelines.

Now with the lifting of restrictions, Healthwatch is once again holding numerous IAS surgeries every month at various locations across the Rochdale borough.

Healthwatch Rochdale IAS surgeries provide an opportunity for Rochdale borough residents to speak with the watchdog face-to-face and share their experience of using local health and social care services. It also provides information to help residents make informed decisions about services or support available locally, with IAS surgeries offering:

• A free, friendly, and confidential service that is independent from the NHS and social care services.
• Perform as a signposting role. This means that Healthwatch will give you the contact details for a range of services that best supports your request.
• Information about the choices you have regarding where you might get help in relation to your health, social care and wellbeing needs.
• Healthwatch can put you in touch with sources of information on NHS and social care services across the Rochdale borough.
• Healthwatch can give you information about what to do when things go wrong, and you require assistance with making a complaint.

Kate Jones, Healthwatch Rochdale Chief Executive Officer, said: “We have continued to listen to what local people have told us during the pandemic and the Healthwatch team have worked hard to make sure local people’s voices continue to be heard.

“Due to government guidelines we have had to work remotely but are aware that there are members of the community who prefer to speak with us face to face. We are so delighted that we are once again able to resume our Information, Advice & Signposting surgeries and speak in person with our residents.”

Details of the next few IAS surgeries:

• Rochdale Infirmary, Whitehall Street, Rochdale. Monday 28 March - 1.30pm to 3.30pm
• Nye Bevan House, Maclure Road, Rochdale, OL11 1HR. Tuesday 5 April - 10.00am to 12noon
• Heywood Phoenix Centre, Church Street, Heywood. Tuesday 12 April - 10.00am to 12noon
• The Strand, Kirkholt. Thursday 14 April - 10.00am to 12noon

You can find all the dates and locations of future IAS surgeries under the events section on Heathwatch Rochdale's website.