Healthwatch Torbay is the independent champion for health and social care in Torbay, South Devon, home to over 136,281 people in the three main coastal towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.
We take your experiences of using health and care services - both good and bad, and share these with those who have the power to make change happen.
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Who are we and what do we do?
Healthwatch Torbay is the independent consumer champion for health and social care in the three coastal towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. We are part of a national network of Local Healthwatch that was set up under the Health and Social Care Act 2012.
It's our job to listen to people's experiences and share their views with those who can do something about it.
At the end of last year we published The impact of providing unpaid care at home report which highlights the experiences that carers have when providing unpaid care at home. We produced this report in conjunction with Devon Carers, Improving Lives Plymouth and the Torbay Carers Service.
Show NHS people some love – please vote for your winner of the Our People’s Choice Award
Members of the public are being called on to vote for their local NHS star in Torbay and South NHS Foundation Trust’s Our People’s Choice Award.
Since Torbay and South Devon launched its renewed staff recognition award scheme (Our People Awards) last year, local people have been nominating for the Our People’s Choice Award category.
It is awarded annually, with people asked to nominate if they have received excellent care, service with a smile, kindness and understanding or exceptional service from a person or team.
All the nominations have been considered by a judging panel and six have been shortlisted. Members of the public can now read the nomination and vote for their choice, with the winner announced at Torbay and South Devon’s award celebration event in May.
The F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) acronym provides a memorable way of identifying the most common signs of a stroke and emphasises the importance of acting quickly by calling 999.
Think and Act F.A.S.T. if you see any single one of these signs of a stroke:
• Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
• Arms – can they raise both arms and keep them there?
• Speech – is their speech slurred?
• Time – even if you’re not sure, call 999.
A stroke is known as a ‘brain attack’. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention as every minute is vital. That is why calling 999 is so crucial. Early recognition of symptoms can give stroke patients those extra precious minutes, enabling faster access to specialist treatment.
Healthy Lifestyles are running type 2 diabetes information sessions to support people in managing their type 2 diabetes
This course is for people who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes over 2 years ago who have not attended an education course before or for patients who attended an education course over 12 months ago
What to expect:
1 education session - Online or face to face Resources, tools, and information to support you to manage your diabetes in the long term Question and answer opportunities with various health professionals related to diabetes management
For more information or to book a place please call 0300 456 1006.
Torbay commemorates one year since Russia invaded Ukraine
Torbay will be joining the rest of the nation this Friday to mark one year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Civic Mayor of Torbay, Councillor Mandy Darling, will lead a minute’s silence outside the Town Hall in Castle Circus, Torquay, at 11am.
All are welcome to attend the minute’s silence.
The seafront festoon lights will change to blue and yellow – the colours of the Ukraine flag – on the evening of 24 February and over the weekend.
A reflective church service will be held at St Paul’s Church in Preston at 6:30pm on Friday evening. This will be followed by tea and cake in the church hall. Priority will be given to Ukrainian guests, their hosts and other invitees, but the service is open to everyone.
Flu vaccination is important because, while flu is unpleasant for most people, it can be dangerous and even life threatening for some people, particularly those with certain health conditions.
The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to adults who:
are 50 and over
have certain health conditions
are pregnant
are in long-stay residential care
receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system
If you're eligible for the free flu vaccine, it's likely you can get the COVID-19 seasonal booster.
SignHealth are a passionate and caring Deaf-led team working towards a future where there are no barriers to good health and wellbeing for Deaf people, they partner with the NHS and service providers across the country.
Engaging Communities South West (ECSW) are the inclusive, innovative and independent champion for the aspirations of local people who manage the contract for Healthwatch Torbay and run other different community projects.
If you would like to receive the ECSW email newsletter, please click the link below to subscribe.
Healthwatch Torbay
Paignton Library & Information Centre
Great Western Road
Paignton
TQ4 5AG
Telephone: (Freephone) 0800 052 0029
Text Message: 07469 244112
Email: info@healthwatchtorbay.org.uk
Healthwatch Torbay is the independent champion for health and social care in Torbay, South Devon, home to over 136,281 people in the three main coastal towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.
1 education session - Online or face to face
Resources, tools, and information to support you to manage your diabetes in the long term
Question and answer opportunities with various health professionals related to diabetes management
