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Engaging Communities Solutions (ECS) is the organisation that delivers your local Healthwatch service. As well as delivering local Healthwatch, ECS carries out social research for a range of clients who are usually from the public sector. The subjects that we cover are mainly health and social care related but sometimes we carry out projects that are about other topics too. To be able to involve more people in our research projects we are now recruiting people to join our Participant Panel. Members of the panel are people who would like to take
part in focus groups or interviews about different subjects and contribute to service improvements or new developments that are not part of the work of the local Healthwatch. You will receive a thank you for any focus groups or interviews that you take part in as a Panel Member such as a gift voucher.
If you are interested in joining our Participant Panel, please complete the registration form Https://engagingcommunities.welcomesyourfeedback.net/3d8r22 , or if you have any questions about the Panel, please contact Research Manager, Deborah Faulks, on 07876 897098 or deborah.faulks@weareecs.co.u -
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CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE’S VOICE SURVEY -
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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.
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If this is you? Or a loved one? Get in touch. Tel: 0800 470 1660 or email: info@healthwatchwalsall.co.uk -
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. -
Advice and Information -
Pop-up vaccination clinics have been set up during February half term to help ensure hildren are up to date with their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab.
All children are invited for their first MMR vaccine on the NHS when they turn one. The second dose is given when they reach three years and four months of age.
Having two doses of the vaccine provides the best protection against MMR and adults and older children can be vaccinated at any age if they have not been fully vaccinated before.
The clinics, which will be running everyday throughout the half term break, are open to all eligible children who are due or have missed a dose. Adults up to the age of 25 are also invited to come forward.
The pop-up clinics are being hosted at a range of locations across the Black Country. This is in
addition to existing pop-up clinics taking place this weekend:
Saturday 3 February:
• Vaccination van located outside Poundland in Walsall Town Centre, Lower Hall Lane, St Matthews Quarter, WS1 1PU, 9am-3pm. To book an appointment call 01922
902035
• Whitmore Reans Family Hub, Wolverhampton, WV1 4AL, 9.30am-2.30pm. To book an appointment call 01902 200077
Saturday 10 February:
• Mary Stevens Park, Stourbridge, DY8 2AA, 10am-3pm. To book an appointment call 01384 431 712
• West Bromwich Central Family Hub, Off Claypit Lane, West Bromwich, B70 9EZ, 9am3pm. To book an appointment call 0121 592 1110
Monday 12 February:
• Tesco, Silver Street, Brownhills, Walsall, WS8 6DZ, 9am-3pm, To book an appointment call 01922 902035 -
Advice and Information -
Guidance, information and vaccination information. -
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Healthwatch Walsall wanted explore how Black and Asian women in Walsall truly feel during
their maternity journey. Do women feel as though they are listened to and valued as individuals? Do women feel they are treated with respect and compassion? These are major factors in the quality of treatment a patient feels they have received. Furthermore, we wanted to ask women if they felt their ethnic background influenced the treatment and care they received.
Gathering such patient experiences helps to give a small insight into the maternity journey for Black and Asian women in Walsall. -
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Dear colleague,
Your local NHS is asking people for their comments about proposals to reduce differences in access to Healthcare services in the Black Country.
In July 2022, a change in the law created our new organisation, NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), to take over local healthcare planning from the former clinical commissioning group (CCG) serving the areas of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, and Wolverhampton.
Since the ICB establishment we have been reviewing our clinical policies. This includes:
reviewing the four existing CCG policies to harmonise them into one new position for the ICB
implementing new policies to take into account national clinical guidelines and best practice
While the majority of their clinical policies were similar, there were several clinical polices that had some differences. To address these differences, commissioning policies for treatments listed below are being reviewed to look at how they can be made the same for the places of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, and Wolverhampton
Clinical experts have looked at the latest evidence and practice for all of these services, both nationally and locally, to ensure the local offer is high quality and safe.
The clinical policy review will be carried out in stages.
A public involvement exercise is now live to collect wider views and feedback from local people and staff to inform our final decision-making.
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An estimated 1.9 million people living in private households in the UK (2.9% of the population) were experiencing self-reported Long Covid (symptoms continuing for more than four weeks after the first confirmed or suspected coronavirus (Covid-19) infection that were not explained by something else) as of 5 March 2023. Long Covid symptoms adversely affected the day-to-day activities of 1.5 million people (79% of those with self-reported Long Covid), with 381,000 (20%) reporting that their ability to undertake their day-to-day activities
had been “limited a lot”. Long Covid is an emerging phenomenon that is not yet fully understood. -
Advice and Information -
Being active and making connections with others is an important part of our health and wellbeing.
Let's Talk can help to identify what support you would like to access and to make connections in your local community.
For more information, click download for the Lets Talk Service leaflet. -
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As Muslims begin to prepare for the month of Ramadan, the NHS has shared a reminder about how to stay safe and healthy during the holy month. Ramadan is expected to start on the evening of Sunday 10 March, subject to moon sighting, and end on Tuesday 9 April, during which time many Muslims will fast and not eat or drink during daylight hours. Fasting during Ramadan can be challenging, especially for those living with a long-term health condition such as diabetes, those who take prescribed medicines or anyone who needs a medical appointment during the holy month. -
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The way to order repeat prescriptions is changing.
Notification to patients of a change in service for repeat prescriptions - please read carefully. (As this applies to specific GP venues as listed below).
From 31 May 2024, you will no longer be able to order repeat prescriptions using the Prescription Ordering Direct (POD) telephone service.
Your GP practice will be taking over the responsibility for your repeat prescriptions.
You can order your repeat prescriptions using one of these methods:
• on the NHS App
• by logging into your NHS account at www.nhs.uk
• by requesting a repeat prescription on your GP practice website
• by contacting your GP practice after 10am, to avoid the morning demand for appointments, for support with your repeat prescription request.
If you are unable to use any of these methods, please contact a member of staff at your GP practice who will be able to discuss your options.
The POD service is currently available to patients registered at the following Modality GP practices in Walsall:
• Collingwood Practice
• Forrester Street Practice
• Harden Health Centre / Blakenall Practice
• Keys Family Practice
• Kingfisher Berkley Practice
• Modality Darlaston Practice
• New Invention Practice
• Pleck Medical Centre.
• St John's Medical Centre.
NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board have provided a set of frequently asked questions explaining why the service is closing, what alternative options you have, and where you can go if you have any questions or concerns.
For more information about the way to order repeat prescriptions, please visit the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board's website.
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A brief outline of some of the issues and themes that patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during February 2024.
Also, things that you can get involved with! -
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People in the Black Country are being reminded to order any repeat prescriptions they may need ahead of the Easter bank holiday (Friday 29 March – Monday 1 April).
GP practices and pharmacies will have limited opening hours over the Easter bank holiday weekend, making it more challenging for people to access medicines at short notice.
Every bank holiday, NHS 111 sees an increase in people getting in touch about repeat prescriptions. Waiting and using emergency or urgent services over the Easter break puts added pressure on already busy services.
To avoid this and to ensure health is not put at any unnecessary risk, people are being asked to submit any repeat prescriptions that are due for renewal by Friday 22 March at the latest to make sure there is enough time for them to be processed and dispensed.
Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said:
“If you take any medicine on a regular basis to help manage a long-term condition such as high
blood pressure, diabetes, or asthma, now is the time to check that you have enough medication
left to last you over the upcoming Easter bank holiday weekend.
“By ensuring you have your required supply of prescribed medication, you save yourself the
worry of possibly not getting what you need on time and being caught short over the bank
holiday when your GP practice will be closed.
“The easiest way to order repeat prescriptions is via the NHS App or through your GP practice website. If you do not have access to GP online services, you can phone your GP practice to order prescriptions.”
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A brief outline of some of the issues and themes that patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during January 2024.
Also, things that you can get involved with! -
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Vaccination clinics have been set up across the Black Country to ensure children are up to date with their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab.
Measles is a highly infectious disease which can lead to serious complications such as severe lung infections and inflammation of the brain. It can spread quickly among communities, particularly schools and nurseries, if children have not had two dose the MMR vaccine.
All children are invited for their first MMR vaccine on the NHS when they turn one. The second dose is given when they reach three years and four months of age. Having two doses of the vaccine provides the best protection against MMR and adults and older children can be vaccinated at any age if they have not been fully vaccinated before.
The clinics, which are running from March until July, will be staffed by trained healthcare professionals from the NHS and Vaccination UK who specialise in childhood vaccinations and follow all necessary safety protocols. Children will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the clinics.
The DTP vaccine, which provides protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) and the MenACWY vaccine, which helps protect against meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning), are also available at these clinics. Both vaccines are given to children aged 13 or 14 (school year 9 or 10).
Parents and guardians of children who have missed or delayed one of these childhood vaccines are being encouraged to come forward. More information about the clinics, including how to book an appointment, can be found on the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board website.
Dr Fiona Rose, local GP and Clinical Director for Quality and Safety for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “Measles is a serious but entirely preventable disease that spreads easily between unvaccinated people, in particular children. It’s highly contagious, so even a small decline in MMR vaccine uptake can lead to a significant rise in cases, which is why it’s absolutely vital that we ensure all children have the maximum protection.
“It’s understandable that parents may be worried about getting their child vaccinated, however childhood vaccines are safe and effective and offer the best protection for children. For decades, vaccinations have protected our children and young people from potentially serious diseases and by the time they leave school, a child will have been offered vaccinations against numerous different diseases or infections.
“So, if your child has missed a vaccination, please contact your nearest clinic and book an appointment – it’s never too late to catch up.”
In the UK, there are two types of MMR vaccine – MMR VaxPro® and Priorix®. Priorix® does not contain pork gelatine and both vaccines are available at the clinics.
Those who are unsure if they, or their child, are up to date with all their routine vaccinations can
confirm their vaccine status by checking:
• their child’s Red Book (personal child health record)
• the NHS App
• or by contacting their GP practice.
For more information on childhood vaccinations, please visit the NHS website. -
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The minutes from our open to the public session of our meetings. -
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Packed full of updates, report updates and information from our partners about your health and social care services -
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Eligible people in the Black Country will be invited to come forward for spring COVID-19 vaccine from this week.
Following guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) the latest phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme has now started, with care home residents first in line to receive a spring vaccine dose.
The offer will then be opened up to the remaining eligible groups, including:
• adults aged 75 years and over (including those who turn 75 by 30 June 2024)
• those aged six months and over who have a weakened immune system.
People who are admitted to an older adult care home or become immunosuppressed by 30 June are also eligible. Those eligible for a spring vaccine will be contacted by the NHS by letter, text message or via
the NHS App. Appointments can be booked via the National Booking System, with first appointments available from Monday 22 April.
If you know you are eligible, you do not have to wait to be invited, you can book on National Booking System once it is open. Walk-in appointments are also available at selected locations and you can find your nearest site by visiting the NHS online walk-in finder.
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “Vaccination has been our most effective tool against COVID-19 and remains the best way to stay protected.
“Having the spring vaccine helps prevent vulnerable people from becoming seriously ill or needing treatment in hospital and over the coming weeks, everyone aged 75 and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and people with a weakened immune system will be offered a vaccination.
“So, if you’re in one of the eligible groups, please take the opportunity to top up your protection as soon as you can.”
For more information on the spring vaccine, please visit the NHS website. -
Report -
Read or download a copy.
One download is a PDF and the other in Microsft Word format. -
Advice and Information -
With cases of whooping cough increasing across the Black Country, pregnant women are being encouraged to come forward for a vaccination.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes. It spreads very easily and can sometimes cause serious problems, especially in babies and young children.
Mums-to-be are offered the vaccine between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy so their baby has protection against whooping cough from birth. The whooping cough vaccine is also routinely given as part of the 6-in-1 combination vaccine for babies at 8, 12 and 16 weeks.
If you are pregnant and have not been vaccinated, or if your child hasn’t yet had the 6-in-1 combination vaccine, please contact your GP surgery to book an appointment to get the protection from whooping cough as soon as possible. If you’re unsure if your child has had the vaccine, check your child’s red book (health record).
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “Anyone can catch whooping cough, but the infection can be very serious in young children and babies.
“Getting vaccinated while you’re pregnant is highly effective in protection your baby from developing whooping cough in the first few weeks of their life – ideally from 16 weeks up to 32 weeks of pregnancy. If for any reason you miss having the vaccine, you can still have it up until you go into labour.
“The immunity you get from the vaccine will pass to your baby through the placenta and provide protection for them until they are old enough to be routinely vaccinated against whooping cough at eight weeks old.
“Vaccination remains the very best protection for babies and children from becoming unwell with whooping cough. So, if you are pregnant and have not been vaccinated, or if your child hasn’t yet had the 6-in-1 combination vaccine, please come forward as soon as you can.”
For more information on the whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy, please visit the NHS website.
The 6-in-1 vaccine protects babies against six serious illnesses:
• diphtheria
• hepatitis B
• hib (Haemophilus influenza type b)
• polio
• tetanus
• whooping cough.
If your child has missed their 6-in-1 vaccinations, contact your GP surgery. It's best to have them on time, but children can still have the 6-in-1 vaccine up to the age of 10.
For more information about the 6-in-1 vaccine, please visit the NHS website.
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From 31 May 2024, patients will no longer be able to order repeat prescriptions using the Prescription Ordering Direct (POD) telephone service. This service is currently available to patients registered at the following practices:
· Collingwood Practice
· Forrester Street Practice
· Harden Health Centre / Blakenall Practice
· Keys Family Practice
· Kingfisher Berkley Practice
· Modality Darlaston Practice
· New Invention Practice
· Pleck Medical Centre
· St John's Medical Centre.
Each GP practice will take over the responsibility for repeat prescriptions. Patients will be encouraged to use the NHS App, logging into their NHS account, requesting a repeat prescription from the GP practice website or contacting the GP practice for support with their repeat prescription request.
Please see the message shared with patients about the changes to the way they order repeat prescriptions shared via the practices on the ICB website. The webpage also includes frequently asked questions about the changes and support available.
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Pop-up clinics have been set up in the Black Country to encourage eligible people to come forward for a spring COVID-19 vaccine.
Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), this spring’s eligible groups include:
• adults aged 75 years and over by June 30
• residents in care homes for older adults
• those aged six months and over who have a weakened immune system.
The pop-up clinics are being hosted at a range of locations across the Black Country, with no appointment necessary. Anyone aged 18 and over who is eligible for a spring vaccine is encouraged to come forward as soon as possible.
Walk in vaccines will be available at the following locations over the next few weeks:
Wolverhampton
• Bilston Market Pinfold Street, WV14 0DN, Monday 29 April, 8am-2pm
• Phoenix Park, Dudley Road, WV2 3J, Wednesday 8 May, 9am-3pm
Walsall
• Tesco, Silver Street, Brownhills, WS8 6DZ, Monday 29 April, 9am-3pm
• Morrisons, Middle Piece Way, Willenhall, WV13 1QG, Wednesday 1 May, 9am-3pm
• Walsall Town Centre, Lower Hall Lane, St Matthews Quarter, WS1 1PU, Saturday 4
May, 10am-4pm
• Aldridge Community Centre, Middlemore Lane, WS9 8AN, Tuesday 7th May,10am-2pm
Sandwell
• Tesco, 46 New Square, West Bromwich, B70 7PR
o Thursday 2 May, 9am-3pm
o Sunday 5 May, 10am-3pm
• Morrisons, 239 Holyhead Rd, Wednesbury, WS10 7BD, Tuesday 7th May, 9am-3pm
Dudley
• Dudley Market Place High Street, DY1 1PQ
o Friday 26 April, 9am-2pm
o Friday 3 May, 9am-2pm
• Mary Stevens Park, Heath Lane, Stourbridge, DY8 2AA, Saturday 27 April, 10am-2pm
• Tesco, Fox Oak Street, Cradley Heath, B64 5DF, Tuesday 30 April, 9am-3pm
The clinics will be running until the end of June. More dates and locations can be found on the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board’s (ICBs) website.
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country ICB, said: “Our pop-up clinics
are a great way for those eligible for a spring COVID-19 vaccine to get vaccinated at a time and
location that suits them, with no appointment necessary.
“Having the spring COVID-19 vaccine helps vulnerable people, including the elderly and
those with weakened immune systems, to maintain a high level of protection and helps prevent
them from becoming seriously ill or needing treatment in hospital.
“You don’t need to wait to be invited if you’re eligible, just come forward as soon as you can.”
In addition to the pop-up clinics, spring COVID-19 vaccinations are available at a number of community pharmacies and other vaccine sites across the Black Country. You can find your nearest site or book online via the National Booking System, or by calling 119.
For more information about the spring COVID-19 vaccine, visit the NHS website. -
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People in the Black Country are being reminded to order any repeat prescriptions they may need ahead of the spring bank holiday (Monday 27 May).
GP practices and pharmacies will have limited opening hours over the bank holiday weekend, making it more challenging for people to access medicines at short notice and may lead to a delay in getting your medication.
Every bank holiday, NHS 111 sees an increase in people getting in touch about repeat prescriptions. Waiting and using emergency or urgent services over the spring bank holiday puts added pressure on already busy services.
To avoid this and to ensure health is not put at any unnecessary risk, people are being asked to submit any repeat prescriptions that are due for renewal by Friday 17 May to make sure there is enough time for them to be processed and dispensed.
Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “The time leading up to a bank holiday weekend can be busy for the NHS. By ordering medicines as soon as possible, it allows enough time for it to be processed and dispensed and helps avoid a last-minute rush. “If you take any medicine on a regular basis to help manage a long-term condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or asthma, now is the time to check that you have enough medication left to last you over the upcoming spring bank holiday. “Keeping your medicine cabinets stocked, knowing when your GP practice is open, and planning for repeat prescriptions that are due will ensure you can make the most of the long weekend. “The easiest way to order repeat prescriptions is via the NHS App or through your GP practice website. If you do not have access to GP online services, you can phone your GP practice to order prescriptions.”
Most repeat medication requests can be made online, via local practice websites or through the NHS App. People who do not use the internet can approach their practice to access their prescriptions.
If people feel unwell over the bank holiday weekend, but it’s not life threatening, they can contact NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111.
NHS 111 can help direct people to the most appropriate local health service if they aren’t sure where to go – this could include an out of hours GP, a pharmacy, a local NHS walk-in centre, ora hospital accident & emergency (A&E) department.
Urgent and emergency care services will also be open as normal over the long weekend. People should only call 999 or attend A&E services in the event of an emergency. -
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Under proposals from the Black Country Provider Collaborative (BCPC) – made up of The Royal olverhampton NHS Trust, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust and The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust – Urology cancer patients will have their surgery at one designated centre, depending on their illness. An overview of the proposals is below:
Surgery for renal/kidney cancer patients would take place at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley, which would become a specialised renal/kidney surgical centre, including robotic surgery. This would create the capacity for an additional approximately 170 robotic surgical procedures per year, taking the total to up to 300 annually.
Prostate and/or bladder cancer patients’ surgery will continue to be at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton, where it is currently undertaken. New Cross would become the urological pelvic surgical centre. With the proposed renal/kidney surgical centre at Russells Hall, additional capacity would be created at New Cross to carry out between 280-421 urological procedures – cystectomies (removal of the bladder) and prostatectomies (partial or complete removal of the prostate) per year.
Patients requiring complex kidney stone surgery would have that undertaken at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust Hospitals Trust, which would become the complex kidney stone surgical centre. It is anticipated that based on available capacity this will impact 85-132 patients annually.
Patients’ pre and post operative care appointments would still take place at their local hospital.
Dr Jonathan Odum, Chief Medical Officer for the BCPC, said: “We want to ensure all patients across the Black Country are able to receive high quality care in the area. The aim is to improve urological surgical cancer and renal stone service provision, with many positive benefits.”
The benefits include:
Improved outcomes for patients
Improved quality of life through faster access to cancer surgery
Improved satisfaction with level of care and the positive patient experience
Reduction in waiting times, to meet the national cancer targets
Better use of theatre capacity across all four Trusts
Creating more opportunities for patients to access care from Black County Providers, rather than travelling to other areas
Developing a more skilled and experienced workforce, with greater staff retention and recruitment -
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But you can get involved now!
Have you accessed Walsall Urology Services in the last 18 months? We want to hear your experiences about the treatment and care you received. Tel: 07732 683464 or FreePhone: 0800 470 1660 or Email: info@healthwatchwalsall.co.uk
Tell us about your individual experience by phone or by Email!
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Pregnant women in the Black Country are being reminded to come forward for a whooping cough vaccination, as cases continue to rise.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs and airways. It spreads very easily and can sometimes cause serious problems, especially in babies and young children.
Initial symptoms are similar to those of a common cold, including a runny nose and a mild fever. After a week, the infection can develop into coughing bouts that are often worse at night. Some babies and adults may make a ‘whoop’ sound and have difficulty breathing after coughing.
Mums-to-be are offered the vaccine between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy so their baby has protection against whooping cough until they are old enough to have the routine immunisation at 8 weeks old.
All babies are given three doses of the 6-in-1 jab combination vaccine at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age to protect against whooping cough and other serious diseases, such as diphtheria and polio, with a pre-school booster offered at 3 years 4 months. It's best to have them on time, but children can still have the 6-in-1 vaccine up to the age of 10.
The NHS has created a video with Rickell Bailey, the midwifery led unit manager at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, to explain why the whooping cough vaccine is important. You can watch the video on YouTube. Liz Punter, Midwife at The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, also explains why pregnant women should come forward for a vaccine. She said: “The only way you can help protect your baby from getting whooping cough in their first few weeks after birth is by having the whooping cough vaccination yourself while you are pregnant.
“The best time to get vaccinated to protect your baby from whooping cough is from 16 weeks up to 32 weeks of pregnancy. This maximises the chance that your baby will be protected from birth, through the transfer of your antibodies before they are born. -
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As we celebrate Volunteers' Week 2024, we want to take a moment to put a spotlight on and say thank you to our amazing volunteers. We are very grateful for the time that they generously give, along with their support and efforts, to help to create positive change within our communities. -
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Diabetes is a condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high. Type 1 diabetes is a rarer form of the condition, which is caused by genetic or environmental factors, and can’t be prevented. Those with type 1 diabetes require regular insulin injections for life to keep blood glucose levels under control.
However, type 2 diabetes is often linked to being overweight or inactive, or having a family history of type 2 diabetes, and the health implications can be serious and life changing. It is the leading cause of preventable sight loss in people of working age, as well as a major contributor to kidney disease, loss of limbs, increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Some groups are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes including: men, people of South Asian or Black ethnicity, people who are overweight and people with a family history of type 2 diabetes. Black and South Asian people have a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes after the age of 25, compared with those from a white background where risk increases after the age of 40.
From next week, a mobile testing van will be at a number of locations across the Black Country offering free health checks for local residents. The bus is a walk-in service so no appointment is required and will be available between 9am and 5pm (times may vary by location). People are advised to arrive no later than 4pm:
Tuesday 11 June
Black Country Family Practice, Neptune Health Park, Sedgley Rd, Tipton DY4 8PX.
Thursday 13 June
Bently Bridge Car Park, Main Block (towards Cineworld). Wolverhampton, WV1 1BP.
Friday 14 June
Tesco Car Park, Marston Road, Wolverhampton, WV2 4NJ.
Wednesday 19 June
Dudley Market Place, Dudley, DY1 1JP.
Those attending can simply have a conversation about their risk of type 2 diabetes with a clinician or have a finger prick blood test for early signs of diabetes. Blood pressure checks, body mass index (BMI) checks and cholesterol testing is also available, all of which can be early indicators of developing type 2 diabetes. Depending on the results of your tests or your risk based on your conversation, you can be signposted to appropriate sources of help or to a healthcare professional.
Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “It's really important for type 2 diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible because it will get progressively worse if left untreated. Early treatment also reduces your risk of other health problems.
“Type 2 diabetes can be a very serious condition but there are lots of things you can do to reduce your risk of developing it such as achieving a healthy weight, getting more physically active and eating healthy food.
“For anyone who is looking to find out more information about type 2 diabetes or those who may be concerned they are at risk, please do pop down to the mobile testing van – it will be well worth a trip.”
The first step to preventing type 2 diabetes is finding out what your risk is. The Know Your Risk tool from Diabetes UK can also help you find out your risk. You enter information including your ethnicity, age, height, weight and waist measurement, and it will give you an assessment of your personal risk of developing type 2 diabetes and advice about next steps.
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Read or download a copy. -
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Healthwatch Walsall is delivered by Engaging Communities Solutions CIC (ECS). ECS deliver seven local Healthwatch across England.
We are carrying out a project to gather feedback across all seven local Healthwatch areas to understand what people know about Pharmacy First and their experiences of using it after it’s introduction at the beginning of 2024.
The survey is open until 1st July 2024. -
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This year one of our priority projects is ‘The Patient Experience of Cancer Services in Walsall’. Our aim is to gain an understanding of the patient experience of those who have used cancer services in Walsall; generally we are trying to find out whether people in Walsall were happy with the treatment and care they received. We want to know if people were treated with compassion, if they felt safe and cared for, if they were listened to; and whether they were given the support and information they needed. Getting an understanding of this will help us to understand how services can be improved for the future. -
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With just one week left of this year’s spring COVID-19 vaccine programme, the NHS is urging all eligible people who haven’t yet had their top-up to come forward and get protected.
The spring COVID-19 vaccination programme started in April, with eligible people invited to come forward and book an appointment via the National Booking System or by calling 119.
Following advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), those eligible for a vaccine have until Saturday 29 June to book an appointment, with the last spring vaccinations on offer the following day on Sunday 30 June. Appointments can be booked via the National Booking System, the NHS App or by calling 119.
People eligible for a spring COVID-19 vaccine include:
• those aged 75 and over (you need to be 75 by Sunday 30 June 2024)
• adults and children (aged six months to 74) with certain health conditions
• care home residents.
The spring COVID-19 vaccine is also available at a range of pop-up clinics which have been set up across the Black Country. The clinics will be running until the end of June, with no appointment necessary. You can find your nearest pop-up clinic on the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) website.
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country ICB, said: “As the weather gets warmer, it’s easy to forget that COVID-19 is still circulating in our communities.
“Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 and the spring booster
programme provides an opportunity for those who are at highest risk of severe illness to keep their immunity topped up.
“There is now only one week left to book an appointment either online or by calling 119 as the offer of ends on Sunday 30 June. So, I would encourage anyone eligible for a spring COVID-19 vaccine who hasn’t yet come forward to book an appointment while they can or pay a visit to one of our pop-up clinics.”
For more information on the spring COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the NHS website. -
News -
We have just launched our latest work project. If you have used Walsall Urology services in the last 18 months, we would like you to share your experience of using the service. To get involved please take part in a questionnaire. -
Report -
A brief outline of some of the issues and themes that patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during May 2024.
Also, things that you can get involved with! -
Advice and Information -
As the end of the school term approaches, parents and carers in the Black Country are being reminded of the importance of managing their child’s asthma over the summer.
Asthma is a lung condition that affects around one in every 11 children and causes symptoms like coughing, wheezing and breathlessness.
It varies from one child to the next, but most types of asthma can be managed well by using a preventer inhaler every day to control their asthma. A reliever (blue) inhaler may be needed occasionally if symptoms flare up. -
News -
After the worldwide IT problems recently. We have been told that GP websites are now back to normal. So please visit and use these websites. -
News -
Packed full of our work, our past and forthcoming events, and useful patient and public information from our partners. -
News -
People in the Black Country are being urged to come forward for care as usual during collective action by GP services which starts today (Thursday 1 August).
GP services across England will begin collective action on Thursday 1 August for an indefinite period of time. While there may be some disruption to services, practices will remain open and patients can make requests by phone, online or by walking in as usual.
During collective action, practices are still required to be open between 8am and 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.
It is vital that patients still attend their appointments unless they are told otherwise, and practices should inform patients of any changes to services.
The nature of the action means that the impacts will vary at different GP practices, and from area to area, but could include GPs limiting the number of patient appointments per day.
NHS teams in the Black Country have worked hard to plan for disruption and to mitigate this where possible to ensure services continue to be provided for patients.
Patients should continue to use 111 for urgent medical help when their GP practice is unavailable and if it is a serious or life-threatening emergency call 999.
Dr Mona Sidhu, Medical Director of Primary Care for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “During the collective action, our priority is to continue to provide safe care for those who need it. Patients should continue to come forward for care, as GP practices will remain open.
“Choosing the right service during this time is important. It not only means you receive the treatment you require, but also helps reduce pressure on NHS services during this busy time and allows them to focus on who needs them the most.
“Your local pharmacist should also be your first port of call for any minor health conditions. Pharmacists are trained medical professionals who can help with a range of ailments, from abdominal pain and sore throats to coughs and colds and urine infections.
“If you need urgent medical help or advice, you should contact NHS 111 online in the first
instance and they will direct you to the most appropriate service for advice or treatment. If you
call NHS111, lines may be busier than normal so please be patient.”
Local pharmacy services and opening times in the Black Country can be found on the NHS
website.
NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do. You can contact the service online 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
People should only call 999 if it is a medical emergency. -
News -
People in the Black Country are being reminded to order any repeat prescriptions they may need ahead of the summer bank holiday (Monday 26 August).
GP practices and pharmacies will have limited opening hours over the bank holiday weekend, making it more challenging for people to access medicines at short notice and may lead to a delay in getting your medication.
Every bank holiday, NHS 111 sees an increase in people getting in touch about repeat prescriptions. Waiting and using emergency or urgent services over the spring bank holiday puts added pressure on already busy services.
To avoid this and to ensure health is not put at any unnecessary risk, people who take regular prescription medication are being asked to submit any repeat prescriptions that are due for renewal by Friday 16 August to make sure there is enough time for them to be processed and dispensed. Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said:
“We want everyone to enjoy a safe and healthy bank holiday weekend. Running out of your usual medication can be a huge worry and have serious consequences, so it’s important to plan ahead and order any prescriptions you may need over the long weekend.
“The easiest way to order repeat prescriptions is via the NHS App or through your GP practice website. If you do not have access to GP online services, you can phone your GP practice to order prescriptions.
“Bank holiday weekends are always busy times for the NHS, so ordering and picking up a repeat prescription in advance really does help us, help you.”
Most repeat medication requests can be made online, via local practice websites or through the NHS App. People who do not use the internet can approach their practice to access their prescriptions.
If people feel unwell over the bank holiday weekend, but it’s not life threatening, they can contact NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111. NHS 111 can help direct people to the most appropriate local health service if they aren’t sure where to go – this could include an out of hours GP, a pharmacy, a local NHS walk-in centre, or a hospital accident & emergency (A&E) department.
Urgent and emergency care services will also be open as normal over the long weekend.
People should only call 999 or attend A&E services in the event of an emergency. -
News -
Specialised services are those services that treat complex and slightly more rare conditions. They tend to be treated at specialist centres with experienced staff and can include neonatal services, some chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments, kidney dialysis and transplants, cardiac services as well as severe asthma and HIV care.
All specialised services are priorities, but some need closer support than others.
Your views, or those of the patients you represent, would be appreciated on four groups of services we have identified for more focussed attention.
Neonatal services
Paediatric services
Cardiovascular services
Oncology services -
News -
Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), from 1 September 2024 the NHS will invite everyone aged 75 to 79 to come forward for a free vaccine to protect them from RSV.
Pregnant women are also being offered the vaccine from 28 weeks into their pregnancy to help protect their babies from RSV for the first few months after they’re born.
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “RSV is a major cause of respiratory illness and can be particularly dangerous for infants and the elderly. It can occur all year round, but cases peak each winter leaving thousands of vulnerable people needing hospital care.
“The RSV vaccine is safe and effective and is the best way to protect yourself against infections caused by RSV. This is a new vaccination programme that will protect thousands of people from serious illness each winter, keeping more people out of hospital and from needing to see a GP.
“I would encourage everyone who receives an invite to come forward and get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
Older adults will be offered the RSV vaccination by their GP practice. Pregnant women over 28 weeks will be offered the vaccine by the maternity service they are receiving antenatal care from. -
News -
The AGM is being held on Thursday 19 September, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, and will be hosted online using Microsoft Teams.
The meeting is open to all members of the public and provides an opportunity to learn more about the organisation and the work that has been carried out in the last 12 months.
Mark Axcell, Chief Executive Officer for the NHS Black Country ICB, said: “Our AGM is an opportunity for us to look back on the ICBs work over the last 12 months and review our achievements and challenges, whilst also reflecting on the ever-changing challenges facing the NHS as we look to the future.
“We want the Black Country community to be as involved as possible in these conversations and we extend a warm welcome to local people to join us and take part in this year’s meeting.
“Public questions are an important part of our meetings and provide an opportunity for people to share what matters most to them about the local NHS. So, if you have a question, please do submit it in advance and we can respond."
For those interested in attending, please reserve your spot online here. A virtual meeting link will be sent to you via the email you registered your attendance with on Wednesday 18 September. If you haven’t received a meeting link by 5pm on this date, please email comms.blackcountry@nhs.net.
Members of the public who would like to send in a question should email bcicb.gb@nhs.net by 5pm on Monday 16 September.
Alternatively, if you would prefer to contact us by telephone to confirm your attendance or ask any questions, please contact our Time2Talk team on 0300 0120 281 and select option 1. -
News -
It is thought that around 6 million people in the UK have high blood pressure and are not aware of it. High blood pressure is the main cause of strokes and heart attacks in the UK but as it often has no symptoms it goes undetected. Know Your Numbers week aims to reduce that by encouraging people to get a blood pressure check and therefore, taking the first steps to reducing their risk of a stroke or a heart attack.
Knowing Your Numbers means that you can start making lifestyle changes or get medication to help bring your blood pressure down.
Home monitoring is an easy way of checking your blood pressure. You can buy affordable blood pressure monitors from your local pharmacy and check your numbers without having to take have a GP appointment. The NHS have the guide to help you understand your blood pressure reading. Check your blood pressure reading - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
You have the power to successfully manage your blood pressure – but only if you know your numbers. Get yours measured before damage is done. -
Report -
Read or download a copy. -
Report -
A brief outline of some of the issues and themes patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during June 2024.
Also, things that you can get involved with! -
Report -
A brief outline of some of the issues and themes patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during June 2024.
Also, things that you can get involved with! -
Report -
A brief outline of some of the issues and themes patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during June 2024.
Also, things that you can get involved with! -
Advice and Information -
Eligible people in the Black Country are being invited to come forward for a flu and COVID19 vaccine from this week.
The vaccination programmes are set to start from Thursday 3 October 2024, with appointments
available to book now.
Similar to last year, those eligible for a COVID-19 and flu vaccine include:
• 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.
The flu vaccine is also available to children aged 2 to 3 years, school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) and children with certain long-term health conditions.
Eligible people can book an appointment via the NHS website, on the NHS App or by calling 119.