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As Diwali approaches, NHS leaders in the Black Country are encouraging local people to protect themselves and their loved ones by getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19.
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an important five-day celebration observed by millions of people worldwide, with this year’s festivities taking place from Wednesday 30 October to Saturday 2 November 2024.
With winter illnesses like flu and COVID-19 circulating, vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent serious illness, especially for those with long-term health conditions. By getting vaccinated, individuals can help protect not only themselves but also vulnerable members of their community.
It’s important to note that vaccines take up to two weeks to offer full protection. Therefore, getting vaccinated soon will help reduce the risk of illness during the Diwali period, allowing families to celebrate with peace of mind.
Similar to last year, those eligible for the COVID-19 and flu vaccines include:
all adults aged 65 years and over
residents of care homes for older adults
people aged 6 months to 64 years with underlying health conditions
frontline health and social care workers
pregnant women.
Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “Diwali is an exciting time for friends and family to come together and celebrate, including my own. However, it also coincides with the rise of flu and COVID-19 cases as we head into winter.
“By getting vaccinated before the festivities, you can protect not only your own health but also the health of your loved ones. I strongly encourage members of the Hindu, Jain, and Sikh communities to prioritise their health and get vaccinated to stay 'winter strong.'
“I urge eligible adults to receive their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, and to make sure children are also protected. Vaccines are safe, effective, and play a key role in preventing serious illness, particularly for those with long-term health conditions.
“Each winter, thousands of children and adults require hospital treatment for illnesses that can be prevented with vaccination. Let’s take this simple step to protect ourselves and our families. Wishing everyone celebrating a happy, healthy, and safe Diwali!"
The NHS has created a video reminding people of the importance of getting protected ahead of Diwali which you can watch on YouTube here.
Eligible people can book an appointment via the NHS website, on the NHS App or by calling 119. -
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Ameena Westwood, 53, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, but earlier this year received the devastating news that the cancer had returned. She now wants everyone to know how to spot the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and get help early.
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK. The main signs and symptoms of breast cancer in women often include:
• a lump or swelling in your breast, chest or armpit
• a change in the skin of your breast, such as dimpling, or redness (which may be harder
to see on black or brown skin)
• a change in size or shape of one or both breasts
• nipple discharge (if you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding) which may have blood in it
• a change in the shape or look of your nipple, such as turning inwards or a rash on it
• pain in your breast or armpit which does not go away.
Ameena, who lives in Smethwick, first noticed a lump in her breast in 2017, just a year after her mom was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer, the second most common type of breast cancer. Ameena said: “I had just started a new job as Community Development Manager at the Yemeni Community Association (YCA) in Sandwell and I remember feeling really excited about the future. I was watching tv one evening and randomly felt a lump in my breast. I was really surprised as I hadn’t noticed it before, but it really stuck out. As my mom had been diagnosed with breast cancer less than 12 months before, I was aware of the signs and symptoms, but I thought perhaps it was just down to my hormones and it might go away on its own.
“It really played on my mind, and I spoke to my brother Ragih about it, and he told me to call my GP and just get it checked out. I booked a GP appointment, and when the doctor examined me, she didn’t even need to ask me to lie down or lift my arm up as the lump was visible by just looking at my chest. I was referred to City Hospital for further tests and within 10 days had my appointment at the breast clinic.
“I’ve always had lots of lumps in my boobs, and have had several cysts before, so felt blasé about the appointment as I assumed it would be the same type of thing. At the clinic, I had a mammogram and ultrasound, and the doctor confirmed I did have a cyst, however there was something behind it that they didn’t like the look of. I had the cyst drained and they took biopsies of the suspicious lump. The results of my biopsy came back, and it was confirmed I had lobular breast cancer, the same as my mom, which was a huge shock.”
Despite undergoing a mastectomy and radiotherapy, Ameena returned to work within a month, determined not to let her community down. It was also while attending her own cancer appointments with her mom, she realised the importance of the conversations that took place in waiting rooms between patients and their families and, with the support of Macmillan, set up the YCA Let’s Talk Hope Cancer support group for people in Sandwell.
Ameena continued: “After my cancer treatment I was given the all-clear and I threw myself into work and the cancer support group. But in 2018, we received the terrible news that my father had been diagnosed with stomach cancer and he sadly passed away a year later in 2019. He had actually taken part in a genomic trial before he died, and in 2022 we were contacted by the trial to confirm that he was a carrier of the BRCA2 gene. Out of his six kids, four of us have tested positive for the gene which means a heightened risk of cancer. My two sisters, who are twins, have both been through breast cancer and my daughter has also recently had a preventative mastectomy after testing positive for the BRCA2 gene.
“In December last year I started getting a really bad cough and shortness of breath when I walked up the stairs. Unfortunately, in March I had the heartbreaking news that my cancer had returned, and I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. The cancer has now spread to my spine, pelvis, ribs and sternum. I’m currently having targeted cancer treatment every day in the form of tablets, and I see my oncologist at the hospital once a month.
“I’m half Yemeni, and because of my own personal journey with cancer and my role with the YCA, I do a lot of work within the community to raise awareness of cancer, which is a topic that isn’t often spoken about. I think it’s really important that people advocate for themselves – you know your own body and you know if something doesn’t feel right, so you must seek help if you’re worried. That’s why it’s important that to know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, check your breasts regularly and make sure you go to your screening appointments when you receive an invite.
“I’ve always said, I’m not particularly religious, but god picked me for this journey because he knows I’m going to shout it from the rooftops and raise as much awareness as I can.”
The NHS Breast Screening Programme invites all women from the age of 50 to 70 registered with a GP for screening every 3 years. You'll automatically get your first invite for breast screening between the ages of 50 and 53. Then you'll be invited every 3 years until you turn 71.
Dr Mona Sidhu, Medical Director of Primary Care for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “It’s really important to get to know how your breasts look and feel, and what’s normal for you.
“If you notice any unusual change in your breasts, please book an appointment to see your GP as soon as possible. The chances are that it won’t be cancer, but if it is, then catching it early means it will be more treatable.
“I’d also encourage eligible women to attend their breast screening appointments when invited. Screening can help detect cancer before you can feel or see any changes in your breast yourself, and early diagnosis can make all the difference.” -
Advice and Information -
Edward’s Trust is a specialist bereavement charity based in Birmingham, providing counselling and holistic support to families in
the West Midlands.
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You and your family can get support for bereavement in the Black Country. Edward’s Trust is a specialist bereavement charity based in Birmingham, providing counselling and holistic support to families in the West Midlands. -
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This Ask Your Pharmacist Week (4-11 November), people in the Black Country are being reminded to speak to their local pharmacist for any health advice this winter.
Ask Your Pharmacist Week is an annual initiative organised by the National Pharmacy Association, which aims to raise awareness of the full range of services on offer in pharmacies.
This year’s theme is ‘professional and convenient healthcare, from your local pharmacy team’, highlighting the skills and knowledge of community pharmacists and the wider pharmacy team, and their track record of safely delivering clinical services.
At a time when the NHS is preparing for what is expected to be a challenging winter, people are being reminded of this vital line of support that is available in their local pharmacy.
Patients can also get treatment for seven common conditions directly from their local pharmacy, without the need to visit a GP. The Pharmacy First service enables pharmacists to offer advice to patients and supply NHS medicines (including antibiotics), where clinically appropriate, for:
• Sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
• Sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
• Earache (aged 1 year to 17 years)
• Infected insect bite (aged 1 year and over)
• Impetigo - a bacterial skin infection (aged 1 year and over)
• Shingles (aged 18 years and over)
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women (women aged 16 years to 64 years).
If you have symptoms that suggest you may have one of these conditions, you can walk into a pharmacy and be offered a consultation with the pharmacist. Should the pharmacy team be unable to help, you will be directed to your GP surgery or A&E as appropriate.
The NHS has created a video with local pharmacist, Salman Ahmad, talking about the Pharmacy First scheme.
Salman said: “Ask Your Pharmacist Week is a great opportunity for us to highlight the important
role pharmacists play in helping people to stay well, especially as we head into the winter
months.
“As experts in medicine, pharmacists can help you with almost any health concerns you may have, whether that's providing treatment on the spot or signposting you to the right alternative NHS service.
“And, with the new Pharmacy First scheme, community pharmacists can now supply prescription-only medicines where clinically appropriate to help with seven common health conditions which would previously have required a GP appointment.
“It’s vital that people seek medical advice in order to stay safe and well so please don’t wait for minor illnesses to get worse – think pharmacy first and visit your local pharmacy today.”