1. Report -

    Throughout the pandemic, Mental Health in young people has been exacerbated due to minimal socialising with the lockdown, not attending education, and having to support relatives.
  2. Report -

    Our job is to champion the consumer interests of those using the services and give local people an opportunity to speak out about their issues.
  3. Report -

    We undertook a survey with people who have used the UTC at Walsall Manor Hospital.
  4. Report -

    To observe the physical environment of the practice. To listen to and capture the experiences of service delivery from patients, relatives and carers. There was no specific intelligence prior to the announced visit.
  5. Report -

    To observe the physical environment of the home and the interactions of staff and residents. To listen to, observe and capture the experiences of service delivery from the residents and relatives.
  6. Report -

    To observe the physical environment of the home and the interactions of staff and residents. To listen to, observe and capture the experiences of service delivery from the residents and relatives.
  7. Report -

    To observe the physical environment of the home and the interactions of staff and residents. To listen to, observe and capture the experiences of service delivery from the residents and relatives.
  8. Report -

    To observe the physical environment of the home and the interactions of staff and residents. To listen to, observe and capture the experiences of service delivery from the residents and relatives.
  9. Report -

    To observe the physical environment of the home and the interactions of staff and residents. To listen to, observe and capture the experiences of service delivery from the residents and relatives.
  10. Report -

    To observe the physical environment of the home and the interactions of staff and residents. To listen to, observe and capture the experiences of service delivery from the residents and relatives.
  11. Report -

    To observe the physical environment of the home and the interactions of staff and residents. To listen to, observe and capture the experiences of service delivery from the residents and relatives. .
  12. Report -

    To observe the physical environment of the home and the interactions of staff and residents. To listen to, observe and capture the experiences of service delivery from the residents and relatives.
  13. Report -

    To observe the physical environment of the home and the interactions of staff and residents. To listen to, observe and capture the experiences of service delivery from the residents and relatives.
  14. Report -

    To observe the physical environment of the home and the interactions of staff and residents. To listen to, observe and capture the experiences of service delivery from the residents and relatives.
  15. News -

    Your monthly catch-up on health and social care experiences, topics, and themes, and useful information.
  16. News -

    An insight into how one diabetic patient manages their condition and lives a packed life.
  17. News -

    The beginning of May is upon us and where is the year going? It’s great that we are now out and about in the Borough, being able to meet up
    with new and old faces again and as we continue with our engagement program, we look forward to meeting more of you to hear about your health and social care experiences.
  18. Report -

    Healthwatch continues to gather information locally, through various means, such as surveys, focus groups, one-to-one conversations, and questionnaires.
  19. Report -

    Healthwatch continues to gather information locally, through various means, such as surveys, focus groups, one-to-one conversations, and questionnaires.
  20. Report -

    Healthwatch continues to gather information locally, through various means, such as surveys, focus groups, one-to-one conversations and questionnaires.
  21. Report -

    Healthwatch continues to gather information locally, through various means, such as surveys, focus groups, one-to-one conversations and questionnaires.
  22. Report -

    Healthwatch continues to gather information locally, through various means, such as surveys, focus groups, one-to-one conversations, and questionnaires.
  23. Report -

    Healthwatch continues to gather information locally, through various means, such as surveys, focus groups, one-to-one conversations and questionnaires.
  24. Report -

    Healthwatch continues to gather information locally, through various means, such as surveys, focus groups, one-to-one conversations and questionnaires.
  25. Advice and Information -

    As a consumer champion for the public, Healthwatch Walsall (HWW) regularly listens to experiences about unsatisfactory care and signposts to the most appropriate complaints handler.
  26. News -

    Healthwatch Walsall is the independent champion for local people’s voices in health and social care in Walsall and the contract is delivered by ECS.
  27. Report -

    Your monthly catch-up on health and social care experiences, topics, and themes, and useful information.
  28. News -

    The Office for Product Safety and Standards has issued an Urgent Safety Alert for baby self-feeding pillows and is urging the public to stop using them immediately and dispose of them safely. Businesses selling these products must immediately remove them from the market as they cannot comply with the safety requirements under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.
    Link to more information: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/urgent-safety-alert-issued-for-baby-self-feeding-pillows
  29. Advice and Information -

    The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that scarlet fever cases continue to remain higher than we would typically see at this time of year.
  30. Advice and Information -

    There are a number of things you can do to help including getting your winter vaccinations and using the NHS 111 service first for any urgent medical need. The below links take you to the relevant advice and information to support you during the winter.

  31. News -

    From all the team at Healthwatch Walsall
  32. News -

    Full of updates, information and messages from our partners.
  33. Advice and Information -

    This useful information flyer that identifies support, information or advice.
  34. Advice and Information -

    An independent charity providing free, confidential specialist bereavement counselling support to the residents of Walsall, West Midlands.

  35. Report -

    On the 3rd of February Healthwatch Walsall saw the return of our First Friday Focus. Members of the public joined us to discuss their experiences of Health and Social Care services in Walsall and tell us what they think.
  36. News -

    Diabetes UK, the UK’s leading national charity for people living with and affected by diabetes, has teamed up with Healthcare Professionals to provide advice in English, Urdu and Sylheti, to support you in making the right decision about whether or not to fast in this holy month.

    Our advice is culturally tailored, acknowledging the difficult decision that thousands of Muslims have to make about whether they should fast, and the impact of this if they are living with a long term condition such as diabetes.

    Also included is advice on small changes that you can make to your food throughout Ramadan and beyond, to help you and your family have a healthier Ramadan.


  37. Report -

    Your monthly catch-up on health and social care experiences, topics, and themes, and useful information.
  38. Report -

    On the 3rd of March Healthwatch Walsalls, First Friday Focus meeting was around bereavement services. Download a summary of that meeting.
  39. News -

    COMMUNITY OUTREACH LEAD - £24,000 PER ANNUM

    37 HOURS PER WEEK, FIXED TERM TO END MAY 2024

    Healthwatch Walsall is the local health and social care champion for the people of Walsall. We make sure that NHS leaders and other decision makers hear peoples’ voices about the services and care they receive. We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, experienced and self-motivated individual to be our Community Outreach Lead in Walsall. The individual will work flexibly from both the home base and the Healthwatch Walsall office, with the need to travel extensively across the Borough. The successful individual will work closely with the Healthwatch Walsall team to ensure that the views of Walsall people from all communities about NHS services, children’s and adults social care are captured and recorded. The role entails meeting people, often going to where people are naturally around in their day to day lives and striking up conversations to find about peoples experiences. If you are comfortable doing that then this is the role for you.
  40. News -

    Healthwatch Walsall want to hear from Black and Asian women living in Walsall about their maternity experiences. Were you happy with the treatment and care you received? We want to listen to your feedback and use this to influence service changes to make maternity services better, be more accessible, inclusive and for service users to have the highest quality of care.

    Share your feedback by taking part in our short survey. It takes just a couple of minutes. What you tell us can help shape services for the people who use them.

    Your feedback is anonymous, we will not ask your name and you do not have to tell us anything personal about yourself.
  41. News -

    From our current project, we have called Walsall Dentists to see who is registering new NHS dental patients. Attached is a shortlist of the ones we established that are on 25th August 2023. Note this list may change due to registration availability and waiting lists and times.
  42. News -

    October is World Menopause Month, and October 18th celebrated as World Menopause Awareness Day, with the focus this year on cardiovascular health. Established in 2009 by the International Menopause Society in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), World Menopause Month aims to raise awareness of the menopause and the possible associated health issues, whilst promoting support options available to improve the health and wellbeing of those navigating the menopause transition.

    To show our support to colleagues experiencing menopause, Healthwatch Walsall , delivered by Engaging Communities Solutions (ECS), is a signatory of the Workplace Menopause pledge:


    World Menopause Day 2023
    World Menopause Day is held each year on 18 October to raise awareness, break the stigma and highlight the support available for improving health and wellbeing for those experiencing menopause.

    Menopause is not just a gender or age issue; it is an organisational issue which can impact colleagues both directly or indirectly. Awareness around this topic is key to reducing the stigma attached to menopause and encouraging people to talk more openly about it
    The theme for World Menopause Day 2023 is cardiovascular disease. The link between reproductive factors and cardiovascular disease is another important aspect of menopause that women need to be aware of.

    Researchers have recently discovered that a woman's reproductive experiences (including menstruation, pregnancy, any breast cancer treatments, and menopause) can affect the chances of developing cardiovascular disease later in life. Awareness of this can help determine an individual's risk.

    The International Menopause Society has a range of resources available to support this year’s theme, available in different languages.

    At Healthwatch Walsall, we are proud to be a signatory of the Workplace Menopause Pledge, showing that we will provide support, information and resources to our colleagues experiencing menopause.

  43. News -

    Final chance for children who have missed their flu vaccines in school to receive them at the following clinic: Blentley Community Centre and Cafe, Wilkes Avenue, Walsall, WS2 0JN. Saturday 9th December from 09.00-1.30

    To make an appointment please call 01922 902035

    For children who are unable to receive the nasal spray there is an alternative injectable option
  44. News -

    Important information.
  45. News -

    Parents and carers of children in the Black Country are being reminded of the importance of routine childhood vaccinations.

    Childhood vaccinations are safe and effective and are essential for the prevention of several serious diseases.

    In the UK, the childhood vaccination programme is highly successful and has resulted in many common and sometimes fatal diseases, such as measles and polio, becoming rare. These infectious diseases, however, have not gone away.

    The following vaccines are routinely offered to all children aged 2 months to 16 years:

    • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine: Protects against HPV, a common sexually transmitted infection that can lead to cervical, anal, and other types of cancers. The vaccine is recommended for both boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 13.

    • DTP Vaccine: Provides protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). These diseases can cause severe complications and even death. The DTP vaccine is typically administered in several doses throughout childhood.

    • MMR Vaccine: Protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Measles, in particular, is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications. The MMR vaccine is usually given in two doses, with the first dose administered around the age of 12-15 months and the second dose between 4-6 years.

    • Meningitis Vaccine: Guards against meningococcal disease, a severe infection that can cause meningitis and blood poisoning. The vaccine is recommended for adolescents and young adults, particularly those starting university or college.

    Dr Fiona Rose, local GP and Clinical Director for Quality and Safety for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “Routine vaccinations play a huge part in protecting you, your child, and the community against a range of unpleasant and often serious childhood diseases.
  46. Report -

    Read or download a copy.

    We asked the Practice Manager to send any comments about the Enter and Visit that was undertaken and this is what they said.

    ‘Thanks again to the Healthwatch Team for undertaking the Enter and View visit. The team was accommodating prior to the visit and also attentive to details during conversations with the practice team during the visit. It was beneficial to gain the insights and experience of the Healthwatch Team from the visit and the resulting report. I would also like to thank Tom for his advice and guidance.’
  47. News -

    Local health chiefs have issued important guidance following the updated cold weather
    alert.

    The Met Office, in conjunction with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has issued an amber weather alert, which is currently in place from Sunday 7 January to Friday 12 January, as severe winter weather is forecast.

    An amber alert means extreme cold conditions are expected, with the elderly, people with underlying health conditions, babies and very young children at risk from the weather. In the Black Country, forecasters have predicted severe cold weather and icy conditions with temperatures continuing to reach below zero this week.
    People are encouraged to take extra precautions to keep safe while the alerts are in place, such as checking on vulnerable friends and neighbours, keeping food and medications in stock and ensuring homes are adequately heated.

    Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “Taking extra care during cold weather is really important, particularly for people who are more vulnerable to suffering ill health due to the cold, such as babies and very young children, older people, pregnant women and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

    “It is recommended that we should heat our homes to at least 18 degrees Celsius in winter as this minimises risks to our health. If you can’t heat all the rooms you use, heat the living room during the day and your bedroom just before you go to bed.

    “Try to avoid going out in cold icy weather but if you do need to go outside wear shoes with slip resistant grip and wear a few layers of thin clothing rather than one thick layer to trap in heat. It is also important that you have frequent hot food and drinks as these can help to keep you warm.

    “Make sure you also take the current weather alert into account when planning any activity over
    the following few days and try to avoid exposing yourself to cold or icy outdoor conditions,
    especially if you’re at a higher risk of cold-related illness or falls.

    “We are also asking everyone to remember the needs of friends, relatives, and neighbours who could be at risk during this period of cold weather. Make sure they’re well, and warm and have sufficient stocks of food and medicines, in case they cannot go out for a few days.”

    For more advice on staying well in cold weather, visit the NHS website here.
  48. Report -

    Healthwatch Walsall was successful in a bid for a microgrant from the Black Country ICB to undertake engagement with the homeless and rough sleepers in the Borough of Walsall. The aim of the work was to ascertain the views around planned and urgent care.

  49. Advice and Information -

    Are you grieving the death of a loved one or struggling with the long-term effects of loss? Then join us for this six-session course, The Bereavement Journey, being run by the Brownhills & Willenhall and Walsall Methodist Circuits.