We had a visit from the Chair of Healthwatch England

News - 4 June 2024

Healthwatch Walsall held its public Independent Strategic Advisory Board Meeting on 15 May 2024 at Ryecroft Community Centre. We were delighted to be joined by Professor David Croisdale-Appleby the Chair of Healthwatch England along with Healthwatch Walsall staff, volunteers and members of the public.

The meeting was an opportunity for open discussions to take place about issues relevant to those present and it was a very interesting and informative session with a lot of interaction.

Please see photos from the event and if anyone would be interested in joining us at future public meetings the details for these will be on our website or we can be contacted on our Freephone number 0800 470 1660 and we will be pleased to let you have the information.
Two chairs, HWE and HwW

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Winter vaccinations for people with COPD

This World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day (Wednesday 20 November), people living in the Black Country who have COPD are being reminded of the importance of having a flu and COVID-19 vaccination this winter.

COPD is the name for a group of lung conditions that causes breathing difficulties in adults, including emphysema (damage to the air sac in the lungs) and chronic bronchitis (long-term inflammation of the airways).

Flu and COVID-19 can put extra strain on your lungs, which can have a significant effect on people with lung conditions such as COPD, making serious illness more likely.

There are more than 26,000 people in the Black Country who are living with COPD, and they are being encouraged to come forward for a flu and COVID-19 vaccine this winter.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “If you have a respiratory illness such as COPD, it’s really important that you look after yourself, especially in the winter when the weather gets colder and respiratory viruses start to circulate.

“It is important to top up your protection against these viruses, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu or COVID-19 before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.

“Getting vaccinated is the best way to stay protected this winter, so I would encourage anyone eligible for a vaccine to come forward as soon as they can.”

As well as people with COPD, those eligible for a COVID-19 and flu vaccine includes:
• all adults aged 65 years and over
• people who live in a care home for older adults
• people aged 6 months to 64 years with health conditions that make them more
vulnerable
• frontline health and social care staff, including in care homes for older adults
pregnant women

Eligible people can book an appointment via the NHS website, on the NHS App or by calling 119. Calls to 119 are free from mobiles and landlines and the booking service provides support in 200 different languages. Those who have difficulties communicating or hearing or are a BSL user can use textphone 18001 or the NHS 119 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service.

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People with diabetes urged to get vaccinated

Ahead of World Diabetes Day (Thursday 14 November), people living in the Black Country who have type 1 or 2 diabetes are being reminded of the importance of having a flu and COVID-19 vaccination this winter.

Having diabetes is a known risk factor for both flu and COVID-19, which means that if you catch either virus, you are likely to be more ill than somebody who has no health conditions.
That is why vaccination is offered free on the NHS for anybody who is living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

There are more 100,000 people in the Black Country who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and
the NHS would like to see as many as possible come forward to get protected against flu and COVID-19 this winter.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said:
“People with diabetes may not be aware that they are entitled to a free flu and COVID-19
vaccination on the NHS, especially if they are younger and their condition is well managed, but we offer it to everybody who has diabetes.

“Diabetes affects the immune system, which means people with the condition are not only more likely to catch these viruses, they are less able to fight them off, putting them at risk of
developing complications.

“The vaccines are safe and effective and are designed to help protect those who are most at risk from these viruses, which circulate during the winter months.

“So, if you’re eligible, I would urge you to take up the offer of both the flu and COVID-19
jabs.”

As well as people with diabetes, those eligible for a COVID-19 and flu vaccine includes:
all adults aged 65 years and over
• people who live in a care home for older adults
• people aged 6 months to 64 years with health conditions that make them more
vulnerable
• frontline health and social care staff, including in care homes for older adults
• pregnant women

Eligible people can book an appointment via the NHS website, on the NHS App or by calling
119.

Calls to 119 are free from mobiles and landlines and the booking service provides support in
200 different languages. Those who have difficulties communicating or hearing or are a BSL
user can use textphone 18001 or the NHS 119 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service.
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Flyer for event

You are invited to our Annual Public Meeting.

We will present our work projects from 20234/2024. And update the public on our 2024/2025 work projects. This will include our 'Health and Social Care Information and Advice Roadshow'. With many support organisations, offering information and advice around condition and situation-based factors. Light refreshments are available. BOOKING REQUIRED.
If you have any specific needs then please let us know. Tel: 0800 470 1660
or email: info@healthwatchwalsall.co.uk
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