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Advice and Information -
It's so important that you feel supported as a new parent. Read the article below to find out where you can go to get the help you need. -
Advice and Information -
Take a look at our advice article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving. -
Advice and Information -
If you are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse, or are worried about someone who might be, find out where you can go for advice and help. -
Advice and Information -
With more and more appointments happening online, we've put together some tips on how to get the most out of the virtual health and care appointments both for patients and health and care professionals. -
Advice and Information -
Your mental wellness is as important as your physical health but seeking help can be daunting. Here's what to expect when you seek support for your mental health. -
Report -
We collected 86 surveys, conducted one focus group and have gathered information from 16 case studies. -
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. -
Report -
A copy of our Annual Public Meeting presentation -
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A copy of our public meeting/ minutes. Agenda plus 4 documents enc. -
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A copy of our public meeting/ minutes -
Report -
A copy of our public meeting/ minutes -
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Healthwatch Walsall working with Walsall Together had been asked to
carry out a project on male suicide. The proposal for this work had
been put forward by the East 2 Primary Care Network who wanted a
local campaign to raise awareness about male suicide -
Report -
Healthwatch Walsall Advisory Board (HAB) Meeting held on Friday 6 August 2021 02:15 p.m. Virtual online digital platform Zoom -
Report -
Healthwatch Walsall Advisory Board (HAB) Meeting held on Monday 19 April 2021 02:15 p.m.
Virtual online digital platform Zoom
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Report -
Healthwatch Walsall Advisory Board (HAB) Meeting held on Thursday 4 February 2021 11:15 a.m.
Virtual online digital platform Zoom.
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Advice and Information -
Healthwatch Walsall Advisory Board (HAB) Meeting held on Thursday 3 December 2020 11:00 a.m. Virtual online digital platform Zoom
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Report -
Healthwatch Walsall Advisory Board (HAB) Meeting held on Thursday 3 December 2020 11:00 a.m. Virtual online digital platform Zoom
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Report -
Healthwatch Walsall Advisory Board (HAB) Meeting held on Thursday 23 July 2020, 2.00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting -
News -
Your monthly catch-up on health and social care experiences, topics, and themes, and useful information. -
Report -
Your monthly catch-up on health and social care experiences, topics, and themes, and useful information. -
News -
Your monthly catch-up on health and social care experiences, topics, themes, and useful information. -
News -
Your monthly catch-up on health and social care experiences, topics, and themes, and useful information. -
News -
A specialist project that pulls together the support and how to access it when needed. -
News -
Information of support for those who feel isolated. Available support and services. -
Report -
115,000 people a year die from lung disease in the UK, equivalent to 1 person every 5
minutes, and every day, 1500 people are newly diagnosed with lung disease. Moreover, the
health outcomes for people with lung disease have not improved over the last 10 years to the
same extent as other diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. The mortality rate
(the number of people per 100,000 dying) of people aged under 75 from respiratory disease
in Walsall is 48.1, which is significantly worse than the national rate of 34.2.
2
There were 5040 emergency hospital admissions for respiratory disease in 2018/19 in
Walsall. Hospital admissions due to respiratory conditions are a major factor in the winter
pressures faced by the NHS and lung disease costs the UK more than £11 billion per year
including the impact on the NHS (£9.9bn), and wider economy through working days lost
(£1.2bn). -
Report -
This report is the culmination of engagement work undertaken and co-ordinated by Paul Higgitt,
Senior Engagement Lead, Healthwatch Walsall from the beginning of 2020 when individual patient
stories were recorded followed by three virtual patient engagement events held during June and July
2020. This work has been supported throughout by Phil Griffin, Walsall Together Service User Group
Chair. A significant number of diabetes patients have been involved in this work and there has also
been some input from Diabetes Specialist Nurses and also Diabetes UK. -
News -
Our seasonal update contains service information and messages as well as what we have been up to and what you told us. -
Report -
On this occasion, the Healthwatch have carried out a project that looks at the experiences of people who were more likely to be digitally excluded than the general population in accessing primary care during the Covid-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions. Unlike the HWE project we did not interview GP practice staff as at the time the project was being undertaken local GP practice staff were taken up with the rollout of the Covid vaccination programme and felt unable to take part. -
News -
Our Autumn newsletter has just dropped.
With useful information and support opportunities. -
Report -
We wanted to find out what is important to young people when accessing Health and Social Care services, what they feel is missing and give young people an opportunity to have their voices heard. -
News -
Healthwatch Walsall would like to know what is affecting you and your family, how you are/will be planning to manage and to find out what support you need? -
Report -
Your monthly catch-up on health and social care experiences, topics, and themes, and useful information. -
News -
The young person's communication project is aimed at young people aged 14-24 to find out their experiences and challenges in accessing health and social care services and whether young people are aware of alternative options for primary care services. We are conducting this survey to find out what barriers young people are faced with and what could help improve this for them. -
Advice and Information -
Suicide is preventable – If you or someone you know is having suicidal
thoughts, we can all help those at risk. In the UK in 2019, 6524 people took their own lives. Men are three times more likely than women to die by suicide. Women are more likely to report suicidal thoughts. Click on the link to download a useful information leaflet. -
News -
Have you had an issue communicating with a professional? Have you had issues accessing health services? A campaign for and by young people in Walsall
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Your monthly catch-up on health and social care experiences, topics, and themes, and useful information. -
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.
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News -
Your monthly catch-up on health and social care experiences, topics, and themes, and useful information. -
Advice and Information -
People are doing everything that they can to manage the cost of living crisis. People have cut back on their food shops, turned their heating off to sit in the cold and have even started to work from home to reduce the amount of money that they are spending on their petrol each week.
However, constantly having to battle against things that are out of your control is always going to take a toll on your mental health, and suffering from mental health issues at this time won’t be making things any easier.
Unfortunately, over 1.5 million people across England are currently suffering from debt and mental health issues due to the cost of living [1]. We are actually already seeing the outcomes of this, with a recent study carried out from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy discovering that 66% of all current working therapists have said that their client’s mental health has started to decline with the current cost of living [2].
As we all know, a decline in public mental health has consequences that affect the rest of society, with more people abusing alcohol and other substances when they feel depressed or anxious. [3]
The infographic/ PDF to download highlights some additional facts and figures surrounding the cost of living crisis and how this links to poor mental health.
References [1] https://www.moneyandmentalhealth.org/money-and-mental-health-facts/ [2] https://www.bacp.co.uk/news/news-from-bacp/2022/8-september-cost-of-living-crisis-survey-shows-impact-on-mental-health/ [3] See alcoholism rehabilitation article.
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News -
With the NHS under extra pressure this winter, we need to hear your experiences of care to help services understand what is working and spot issues affecting support for you and your loved ones.
The NHS is facing added pressures this winter. This means that it can be more challenging for people to receive the care they need.
Feedback from the public can play a vital role in helping health and social care services understand what is working and spot issues affecting the care of local people.
This is why we have launched a campaign to get more people to share their experiences of care this winter.
If you or a loved one have used GPs, hospitals, pharmacies, care homes or other support services this winter, we want to hear about your experience.
Every experience matters
Have you faced challenges or delays accessing health and care services this winter? If you have, we want to know how this has affected your health and wellbeing.
Have you found accessing NHS services easy? Are there any aspects of the care you got that you really valued?
Your positive or negative feedback can help services hear what is working and spot issues affecting care for you and your loved ones.
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Advice and Information -
This useful information flyer that identifies support, information or advice. -
News -
Service development opportunity. So share your views.
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News -
We are asking children and young people aged 12-24 from Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, and Wolverhampton their views
about how mental health services can encourage people to get involved in helping to improve these services.
The survey will take approximately 15 minutes and will be completely anonymous.
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Advice and Information -
An independent charity providing free, confidential specialist bereavement counselling support to the residents of Walsall, West Midlands.
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News -
Watch the animation video to discover the key organisations that make up the NHS and how they can collaborate with partners in the health and care system to deliver joined-up care.
This animation has been developed by The King’s Fund with the support of: https://www.carnallfarrar.com/ -
News -
Over the past year, fuel and energy prices have soared taking huge bites out of our pockets, on top of increased rents and food prices. The financial squeeze has been felt by everyone in the UK.
Everywhere you look, you’re reminded of the cost of living crisis. The news, social media, and your personal bank balance offer stark reminders of the current reality.
People are reducing car journeys and taking up cycling, there are those cutting out yearly holidays and in the most challenging of circumstances, people have to choose between heating the house and food items.
Link to ReHab recovery website: https://www.rehab-recovery.co.uk/resources/cost-of-living-effect-on-nations-mental-health/ -
Report -
Your monthly catch-up on health and social care experiences, topics, and themes, and useful information. -
Report -
Your monthly catch-up on health and social care experiences, topics, and themes, and useful information. -
Report -
Your monthly catch-up on health and social care experiences, topics, and themes, and useful information. -
News -
Those eligible for the COVID-19 spring booster vaccine are:
People aged 75 and older
Residents in care homes for older people
Those aged 5 and over who have weakened immune systems.
If you are eligible for a spring booster, you will be contacted by the NHS by letter, text message or via the NHS App. Appointments can be booked via the National Booking System or NHS App, with first appointments available from Monday 17 April.
The last date you will be able to book a spring booster will be 29 June, with the last spring vaccinations on offer the following day, 30 June.
To book for yourself or a family member, go to www.nhs.uk/CovidVaccination , visit the NHS App, or call 119 for free.