News and reports

Women across the Black Country can now get their supply of oral contraception at a local pharmacy, without the need to see a GP.  More than 200 pharmacies in the Black Country are participating in this new service, aiming to increase choice for women in the ways in which they can access contraception.   Oral contraception, known as ‘the pill’, can now be accessed at a pharmacy without a referral from a GP.

Women can also be referred to their pharmacy by their GP practice or a sexual health clinic. 

The pharmacist will offer a confidential consultation and will offer the first supply of the pill, or the ongoing supply of their current oral contraception. This is an NHS service and so the supply of oral contraception will be exempt from any prescription charges. 

Sukhy Somal, Head of Community Pharmacy Clinical Services for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “This new service is another great milestone in showing how much of an important role community pharmacists are improving wider access to healthcare services.  

“This is a safe and confidential service for women across the Black Country and allows general practice and sexual health services to free up appointments for more complex assessments. 

“Women will still receive their yearly pill check-up, like they would with their GP, which they will have when requesting their next supply of contraception. It is still encouraged to seek medical advice from a pharmacist or doctor if any unusual side effects continue after three months.” 

Individuals do not need to be registered with a GP to access this service. Pharmacies will only inform the GP practice that individuals have accessed the service, with their consent. 

Business cards are being rolled out for patients across the Black Country enabling pharmacists to write down the date of the next supply of contraception and the name of the pharmacy. 

Contraception is free and confidential, including for young people under the age of 16. The doctor or nurse will not tell anyone, including parents or carer, unless they think you or someone else is at risk of harm. 

For further information, visit the NHS Black Country ICB website. 

More than 200 pharmacies in the Black Country are participating in this new service, aiming to increase choice for women in the ways in which they can access contraception.   Oral contraception, known as ‘the pill’, can now be accessed at a pharmacy without a referral from a GP.

Women can also be referred to their pharmacy by their GP practice or a sexual health clinic. The pharmacist will offer a confidential consultation and will offer the first supply of the pill, or the ongoing supply of their current oral contraception. This is an NHS service and so the supply of oral contraception will be exempt from any prescription charges. 

Sukhy Somal, Head of Community Pharmacy Clinical Services for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “This new service is another great milestone in showing how much of an important role community pharmacists are improving wider access to healthcare services.  

“This is a safe and confidential service for women across the Black Country and allows general practice and sexual health services to free up appointments for more complex assessments. 

“Women will still receive their yearly pill check-up, like they would with their GP, which they will have when requesting their next supply of contraception. It is still encouraged to seek medical advice from a pharmacist or doctor if any unusual side effects continue after three months.” 
 
Individuals do not need to be registered with a GP to access this service. Pharmacies will only inform the GP practice that individuals have accessed the service, with their consent.  Business cards are being rolled out for patients across the Black Country enabling pharmacists to write down the date of the next supply of contraception and the name of the pharmacy. Contraception is free and confidential, including for young people under the age of 16. The doctor or nurse will not tell anyone, including parents or carer, unless they think you or someone else is at risk of harm. 

You can now get your contraceptive pill directly from your local pharmacist in confidence.

No appointments are necessary, allowing you to be seen quickly and conveniently.

Walsall Council are looking for local people in Walsall to help shape adult social care services. Want to create better experiences for people who access our services. Involving people who use adult social care services ensures the needs of our community are met.

The input of local people, partners and local organisations is invaluable to us in shaping healthcare services.

We often have involvement exercises running, and the details of any that are currently active will be available below,

Current ICB involvement opportunities

BBC News article 17th April 2025

A scheme to help GPs provide care and advice to patients without them joining long NHS hospital waiting lists is being expanded in England, the government has said.

GPs will work more closely with specialists to access expert advice quickly for patients with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, menopause symptoms and ear infections.

Backed by £80m of funding, its ambition is to help two million people receive faster and more convenient care in their local community by the end of 2025/26.

We have just realised our latest report. It's worth a read!

If you have any comments about the report, then please share them, email: info@healthwatchwalsall.co.uk

If you or your family become unwell, you may not always need to see a doctor or get a prescription. Your local pharmacists are clinically trained experts in medicines, managing minor illnesses and providing health and wellbeing advice.

Pharmacists can help you with common problems such as coughs, colds, aches and pains. They alsomay offer medication advice and free consultations,perform health checks, and treat minor injuries and ailments.

Somepharmacies offer extended opening hours in the evenings and at weekends, and there is no need to book an appointment –just walk in.

As we move into the winter months, your local pharmacy can help you to get the help you need.

Current involvement opportunities with the Black Country Integrated Care Board.

Below text from a letter from the BCICB.

We are recruiting a small co-design expert advisory group focused on improving interpretation and translation services, to better meet the language and communication needs of people when accessing NHS primary care services in the Black Country. We are seeking applications from experts with lived and learned experience, to review and shape a new specification as part of a re-procurement of the service, with people and communities at its heart, through their insights, experiences and ideas. Applicants will be local organisations, community groups, or leaders who are trusted voices in the community, who work closely with people experiencing language and communication barriers, or who have good knowledge of the needs and challenges experienced by the community, when accessing primary care.

Successful candidates will be expected to take part in up to 4 x half day advisory group meetings. Successful applicants will be compensated for their involvement at the rate of £75 per half day meeting. We will also explore the scope of other opportunities with advisory group members, to potentially deliver community conversations (in late-May/ early-July) on behalf of the ICB, if the need arises due to gaps in our insight and intelligence. Furthermore, there may be an opportunity to nominate one member of the advisory group to join the procurement panel as a lay representative. You should complete and return the below EOI form by no later than 11.59pm on- Thursday 8 May 2025, though we would encourage you to complete at your earliest convenience as applications could be closed early if there are a high number of responses.

If you want to discuss your EOI during the application process or if you need any support, you can: · Contact kathryn.meredith@nhs.net or · Register to attend our virtual briefing session on 30 April 2025.

Please also get in touch if you would like this form in another language or format.

Yes, it's full of information, advice, and support. There are things you can get involved in to.

An NHS double-decker bus is touring the Black Country this week (Monday 7 April – Friday 11 April) to help raises awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and the importance of early detection.

Organised by the local NHS in partnership with the four local authorities in the Black Country, the cancer bus tour is an opportunity for local people to meet and talk with a range of clinicians about how to check for symptoms of cancer, the support services available and what to do if they’re concerned.

Information about the three main NHS cancer screening programmes - breast, bowel and cervical - will be available, including what ages people will be invited, what’s involved in the screening and what the results will tell us.

Free health checks will also be available, such as blood pressure and blood sugar tests.

The bus will be at a range of locations throughout the week, including:
• Monday 7 April, the Fountain, Dudley High Street, 10am-4pm
• Tuesday 8 April, Park Street, Walsall Town Centre, 10am-4pm
• Wednesday 9 April, Oldbury Council House, Sandwell, 10am-4pm
• Thursday 10 April, Queen Square, Wolverhampton City Centre, 10am-4pm
• Friday 11 April, Windmill Shopping Centre, Smethwick, 10am-4pm

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “We know that early cancer diagnosis saves lives, and this bus tour is all about bringing vital information and support directly to the heart of our communities in the Black Country.

“By making it easier for people to talk to clinicians, ask any questions they may have and learn more about cancer symptoms, we hope to break down barriers and encourage more people to take action if something doesn’t feel right.

“Whether it’s a quick health check or finding out more about screening programmes in the Black Country, the bus is here to help, so we’d encourage everyone to stop by this week if they can.”

To read or download a copy.