Women in the Black Country invited to share their views

News - 4 December 2024

Women living in the Black Country are being encouraged to share their experiences to help shape local women’s health services.

The NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) is seeking the views of local women on a
range of health issues, including heavy periods, the menopause, assisted conception as well as mental health and general wellbeing.

Women’s insights are vital in helping the NHS understand what works, where challenges exist, and how services can better support women’s health at every stage of life.
By sharing their perspectives, women will have a direct impact on shaping future health
services, policy and support in the Black Country that reflect their real, lived experiences.

The public conversation is now open for those who use and support women’s health services in the Black Country and will close on 26 January.

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Black Country ICB, said: “We know that
women’s health needs are often complex and varied, and it’s our responsibility to make sure
that NHS services fully meet these needs.

“Women should always have a say in their own healthcare, whether that’s in managing
menstrual bleeding, pregnancy and fertility or dealing with the challenges of the enopause in the workplace.

“This survey will give women the opportunity to be heard and to help shape services that reflect the diverse needs of women across the Black Country, so please do take part if you can.”

To learn more about what’s going on in your local area, contact the NHS Black Country ICB’s
Involvement team by emailing involve.blackcountry@nhs.net or calling 0121 612 1447.

For more information, and to take part in the survey, visit the NHS Black Country ICB website here.

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Pregnant women urged to vaccinated

Pregnant women in the Black Country are being reminded to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their unborn babies from COVID-19, flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other infectious illnesses.

During pregnancy, your immune system is naturally weaker than usual. This means you are less likely to fight off infections that can be harmful to you and your baby.

Vaccination during pregnancy can help prevent disease or make illness less serious for you, and for your baby. When you receive these vaccines, your body produces antibodies that pass through the placenta to your baby. This gives them protection for the first few months of their life when they are most vulnerable to infections.

Pregnant women are eligible for a number of vaccines, including:
• COVID-19 vaccine: you're at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 if you're pregnant. If you get COVID-19 late in your pregnancy, your baby could also be at risk. It's safe to have the vaccine during any stage of pregnancy, from the first few weeks up to your expected due date.
• Flu vaccine: you should have the free flu vaccine every time you’re pregnant. During pregnancy, you’re at a greater risk of serious flu-related complications. The flu vaccine helps protect you and your developing baby against flu. It will protect you during your pregnancy and for at least three months after birth.
• RSV vaccine: RSV is a common virus that causes coughs and colds. RSV usually gets better by itself, but it can be serious for babies. You should be offered the RSV vaccine around the time of your 28-week antenatal appointment, but it can be given later if needed, including up until you go into labour.
• Whooping cough vaccine: whooping cough can be dangerous for newborns. Getting the whooping cough vaccine during pregnancy helps protect your baby from birth until they are old enough to be vaccinated themselves. The best time to get this vaccine is between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “Pregnancy is a special time, and your health is more important than ever. Getting the right vaccinations can protect you and your baby from serious diseases.

“Pregnancy alters how the body responds to infections, increasing the risk of complications from these viruses. Vaccinations in pregnancy are safe and effective and is the best way to protect yourself and your baby, especially as we head into winter. The antibodies you develop after getting the vaccines are passed to your baby, offering crucial protection that lasts for the first few months of their lives.

“It’s normal to have questions or concerns about vaccinations during pregnancy but don’t hesitate to ask your midwife, GP or pharmacist. They are here to support you and your baby’s health every step of the way.”

The NHS in the Black Country has created a leaflet providing key information on the vaccinations recommended during pregnancy, why they are important and where you can get them. The leaflets will be given to pregnant women during their antenatal appointments at hospital.
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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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