News and reports

Early diagnosis of cancer is vital; detecting a problem early on can mean that treatment is more effective.

Cancer experts will be visiting locations across Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull on a bus dedicated to providing health checks and important screening information about cancer.

The bus aims to give our local communities the opportunity to not only catch any warning signs of cancer as early as possible, but it will also be a chance for people to talk to a host of professionals, from the NHS to MacMillan Cancer Support and Diabetes UK.

At the cancer bus, NHS staff and our partners will share signs to look out for, how to live the healthiest possible life and signpost you to useful services.

May 2026
Thursday 7 May 10am to 4pm Sainsburys, Reedswood Way, Walsall, WS2 8XA

Other places and times:
Tuesday 5 May 10am to 4pm Stafford Street Car Park, Dudley, DY1 1SB
Wednesday 6 May 10am to 4pm Queen Square, Wolverhampton, WV1 1TX
Friday 8 May 10am to 4pm New Square Shopping Centre, West Bromwich, B70 7PP
Saturday 9 May 10am to 4pm Outside M&S and Argos, Merry Hill Centre DY5 1QZ

To read or download a copy.

A brief outline of some of the issues and themes patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during March 2026.

Boosting people’s online confidence!

We are excited to offer our Digital Skills Training sessions to your service-users and patients.
The training sessions are designed to:
✓ Enhance digital literacy
✓Empower individuals with essential digital skills
✓
Provide personalised one-hour training, either one-on-one or organisation small group sessions

Our latest work programme report is now available on: 'Access to Primary Care Mental Health Services Survey for people from ethnic communities'.

We conducted a survey which bore 172 responses and held two focus group sessions. We documented their comments and included our findings in the report below.

Please read, and if you wish to share any comments on any aspect of the report or your own experiences, then please call 0800 470 1660 or email: info@healthwatchwalsall.co.uk

As schools break up for half term, health chiefs in the Black Country are encouraging parents and carers to ensure their children are up to date with their routine vaccinations at a local catch-up clinic.

School holidays provide a convenient opportunity for families to attend appointments, helping ensure children are protected against a range of serious but preventable diseases, while minimising disruption to their education.

Vaccinations remain one of the most effective ways to protect children from illnesses such as measles, meningitis, diphtheria, tetanus and polio. They also play a vital role in preventing the spread of infection within schools and the wider community.

Sally Roberts, Chief Clinical and Quality Officer for NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) said: "Half-term is an ideal time for parents and carers to check their child’s vaccination record and get any missed vaccines booked in. Keeping up to date with vaccinations helps protect not only your child, but also their classmates, families and the wider community.

“If your child has missed any of their vaccinations, a series of local catch-up clinics hosted by Vaccination UK are available across the Black Country.”

Child vaccines available at catch-up clinics include:
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• MenACWY (Meningitis A, C, W, Y)
• DTaP/IPV (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis / Polio)
• HPV (Human Papillomavirus, where age-appropriate).
If you’re unsure what your child needs, the team can advise you when you book.
The clinics are being held at a range of locations across the Black County, these are:

Dudley
28 March 2026, 9am to 2pm
Oakfield Community Centre, 245 Brettell Ln, Brierley Hill, Stourbridge DY5 3LT
email: dudley@vaccinationuk.co.uk
phone: 01384 431 71

Walsall
1 April 2026, 9.30am to 1.30pm
Anchor Meadow Health Centre, Walsall Rd, Walsall Wood, Walsall WS9 9AJ
email: walsall@vaccinationuk.co.uk
phone: 01922 902 035
Wolverhampton
7 April 2026, 9.30am to 1.30pm
Children's Village Family Hub, Graiseley Ln, Wolverhampton WV11 1PE
email: wolverhampton@vaccinationuk.co.uk
phone: 01902 200 077
Walsall
18 April 2026, 9am to 1pm
South and Central Locality Hub, Birchills St, Walsall WS2 8NF
email: walsall@vaccinationuk.co.uk
phone: 01922 902 035

The clinics will be staffed by trained healthcare professionals from Vaccination UK who specialise in childhood vaccinations and follow all necessary safety protocols. Children will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Appointments are required for all clinics. Parents and carers are encouraged to contact their local team via phone or email to book as soon as possible.

Residents in Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull are being reminded to order any repeat prescriptions ahead of the Easter bank holiday.

GP practices and pharmacies will have limited opening hours over the Easter period, and many will be closed from Friday 3 April to Monday 6 April, making it more challenging for patients to access medicines at short notice.

NHS 111 sees an increase in people getting in touch about repeat prescriptions over bank holiday periods, which can put additional pressure on already busy services. Residents should plan ahead if they have regular medicines on repeat prescription by checking that they have enough to last them over the bank holiday weekend, and by ordering their repeat prescriptions by Wednesday 25 March if they are due for renewal.

This will help ensure that health is not put at unnecessary risk, delays are minimised, and enough time is given for requests to be processed and dispensed.

Most repeat prescription requests can be made online, via local practice websites or through the NHS App. Residents without internet access can approach their GP practice. For help on how to order a repeat prescription go to How to order a repeat prescription - NHS.

Sukhy Somal, ICS Head of Community Pharmacy Clinical Services for NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “As GP practices and pharmacies will have limited opening hours over the Easter bank holiday, it’s important that people are prepared and get their repeat prescription orders in early. This helps avoid running out of medicines and reduces stress over the long weekend. Prescriptions can be requested easily through the NHS App, where they can also choose a convenient pharmacy close to them.”

Shalina Anwar, ICS Community Pharmacy Clinical Lead for NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “During the Easter bank holiday, pharmacies can help you stay well. Pharmacists are healthcare professionals that can provide help, advice and treatment, if appropriate, for seven common illnesses through the Pharmacy First scheme, without the need for an appointment. They can also advise residents on the best treatments they should have in their home medicine cabinets for common illnesses, so they are well stocked.”

To read or download a copy.

Martha’s Rule is a patient safety initiative to support the early detection of deterioration by ensuring the concerns of patients, families, carers and staff are listened to and acted upon.

It has been developed in response to the death of Martha Mills and other cases related to the management of deterioration. Central to Martha’s Rule is the right for patients, families and carers to request a rapid review if they are worried that a patient’s condition is getting worse and their concerns are not being responded to.

NHS trusts are working hard to put Martha’s Rule in place in all acute inpatient settings. While it is not available everywhere yet, implementation in these settings is expected to be complete during 2026/27. More details are available in the Implementing Martha’s Rule section below.

If you or a person you care for are admitted to hospital, you can check whether Martha’s Rule is available by:
visiting the trust’s website
asking staff on the ward

What is Martha’s Rule?
Martha’s Rule recognises that those who know the patient best may be the first to notice changes that could be an early sign of deterioration, and the importance of listening to and acting on the concerns of patients, families and carers. It is being implemented in both adult and children’s inpatient settings in England.

Yes, it's full of information, advice, and support. There are things you can get involved in to.

A brief outline of some of the issues and themes patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during February 2026.

A pioneering community vaccination pilot in Dudley has significantly increased uptake of maternal vaccinations and improved equitable access for pregnant women who may otherwise miss opportunities to be vaccinated.

Launched in response to the national rollout of the RSV vaccination programme in September 2024, the Dudley Community Vaccination Pilot was co-produced by the Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) Vaccinations and Immunisations Team and The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust (DGFT).

Prior to the pilot, RSV vaccination uptake locally stood at 34 per cent, below the national ambition of 50 per cent. It was identified that women on a Midwife Led Care (MLC) pathway who are typically seen in community settings rather than hospital antenatal clinics, were less likely to encounter vaccination teams and therefore faced inequitable access.

To address this, midwife vaccinators proactively contacted eligible women, offering personalised telephone consultations to support informed choice. Where consented, appointments were made at local community family hubs in Brierley Hill and Lye.

Between February and December 2025, 434 were vaccinated across 78 clinics resulting in an overall RSV vaccination uptake increase from 34 per cent pre-pilot to 46 per cent.

Across RSV, pertussis and seasonal flu vaccinations, the community offer contributed to a combined 19 per cent increase in uptake.

The hubs were deliberately located in areas of higher deprivation, following feedback from women highlighting the importance of accessible venues, free parking, public transport links and trusted midwife led conversations.

Women described the service as “easy to get to”, “friendly and welcoming”, and said they were “much less likely to get the vaccine if the only place on offer was hospital”.

Liz Punter, Public Health Project Midwife at DGFT, said: “By reducing barriers to access and enabling more in-depth vaccination discussions outside routine antenatal appointments, the pilot has helped narrow variation in access between hospital-based and community-based maternity pathways.

“Increased maternal vaccination protects newborn babies from severe respiratory illness, reduces avoidable hospital admissions and supports our sickness to prevention shift which is one of the three core pillars of the NHS 10-Year Health Plan.”

Following the demonstrable improvement in uptake and positive patient feedback, the pilot has been extended to March 2026. Findings have been shared across the Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS) and wider ICB networks, with other Trusts exploring replication of the model.

This collaborative approach demonstrates how system-wide partnership working, community-based delivery and proactive engagement can improve health outcomes, reduce inequalities and strengthen prevention for mothers and babies.