Free Support Service While You Wait for Surgery

For all patients on the waiting list for surgery at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust there is a specialist free help and support initiative called While You Wait.

You do not need a referral from your consultant, or GP, and can register on-line with the Viaduct Wellbeing and Self Care Service, which is part of the initiative for people on the local hospital waiting list.

Viaduct Wellbeing and Self Care Service offers non-medical support for people on the waiting list for surgery to help improve their mental and physical health as well as their wellbeing. It also offers support with long term physical health conditions and can people get in touch with local community and support groups in their area.

They offer a variety of support from help with shopping for groceries and prescriptions through to basic daily needs or support with self-isolation and mental health.

You do not need a referral from your consultant, or GP, and can register on-line with the Viaduct Wellbeing and Self Care Service if you are registered with a Stockport GP.

You can register for yourself, or on behalf of another person, and the service is open to everyone on a waiting list at the Trust.

It just takes a few minutes to add in your details such as name and address. Don’t worry if you haven’t got your NHS number to hand as your registration can still be completed. You’ll be asked for a little bit of information of what help and support you may be interested in.

Click here to register

There is also further advice about the While You Wait initiative across Greater Manchester, as well as information if you are a patient at another hospital in the region, at While You Wait.

The NHS in Greater Manchester is offering further information and advice, along with handy resources to help you manage your physical and mental wellbeing.

This includes:

  • How to stay as fit and healthy as possible while you wait for your treatment
  • Where to find any extra support online
  • Where to find further information about approximate waiting times at different hospitals
  • What to do if your condition deteriorates.

While You Wait Patient Leaflet