News and reports

As the school term draws to a close, parents and carers across the Black Country are being reminded of the importance of managing their child’s asthma during the summer break.

Asthma is a common lung condition, affecting around one in every 11 children. It can cause symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and breathlessness.

Although asthma affects each child differently, most cases can be well controlled with the daily use of a preventer inhaler. A reliever inhaler (usually blue) may also be needed from time to time if symptoms flare up.

The NHS has created a video with a Black Country respiratory nurse discussing the importance of keeping of top of your child’s asthma over the summer holidays.

Lisa Cummings, Queens Nurse and Asthma Practitioner in the Children and Young People’s Asthma Team for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) said: “Each year, we see a noticeable rise in asthma attacks around September, often linked to children falling out of their usual medication routines over the summer holidays. But with a few straightforward measures, parents can support their child in staying well and making the most of the summer break.

“It’s easy to assume everything’s fine if your child seems active and symptom-free during the holidays, but it’s crucial they continue using their preventer inhaler exactly as prescribed by their GP or asthma nurse. This consistent use helps ensure they’re protected when returning to school, where asthma triggers are more likely.

“Make sure you have your child’s asthma action plan easily accessible and follow it carefully. Anyone with asthma is at risk of having an asthma attack, which usually needs urgent medical treatment. Asthma attacks can even be fatal. This is why it is crucial to ensure children and young people take their medication even when feeling well, and to take action if their asthma seems to be getting worse.

Knowing what steps to take when symptoms appear can make all the difference. Most importantly, always be prepared. Always carry an up-to-date reliever inhaler (typically blue), as asthma attacks can be serious and unpredictable.”

You can also follow #ThinkAboutAsthmaBlackCountry on social media for tips on managing your child’s asthma this summer

With hot weather forecast over the next few days, the NHS is sharing the signs and
symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke to look out for The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has upgraded its heat health alert for the West Midlands to amber, which is in effect from 12pm on Friday 11 July until 9am on Monday 14 July, replacing the earlier yellow warning issued this week.

During hot weather it can be easy to overheat. Spending too long in the sun or not staying
properly hydrated can lead to heat exhaustion.

Heat exhaustion is not usually serious if you can cool down within 30 minutes, however if left
untreated it can quickly turn to heatstroke. Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition that occurs when your core body temperature reaches 40C or higher and must be treated immediately.

Common symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
• a headache
• dizziness and confusion
• loss of appetite and feeling sick
• excessive sweating and pale, clammy skin
• cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
• fast breathing or pulse
• a high temperature of 38C or above
• extreme thirst.

These are the same in adults and children, although children can also turn sleepy and floppy.

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said:
“Heat exhaustion can affect anyone, including fit and healthy people, and be very serious if not
treated immediately. It can come on quickly, over minutes, or gradually over hours, so with high Temperate levels expected over the next few days, it is important that people know how to deal with it.

“To help prevent heat exhaustion drink plenty of cold drinks, take cool baths or showers and
wear light coloured and loose clothing. Try to stay out of the sun between 11am-3pm and avoid alcohol and exercise as this will prevent dehydration.

“If someone has heat exhaustion, move them to a cool place and get them to lie down with their feet raised slightly. Ensure they drink plenty of water and cool their skin with cold water and fan them. They should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.

“Remember to keep an eye on children, the elderly and people with long-term health conditions, such like diabetes or heart problems, as they’re more at risk in the hot weather.”

If someone with heat exhaustion does not improve after 30 minutes, they may have heatstroke.

You should call 111 if they still feel unwell after drinking plenty of water, not sweating even while feeling too hot, have a high temperature of 40C of above or feel confused.

A brief outline of some of the issues and themes patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during April 2025.

A brief outline of some of the issues and themes patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during April 2025.

A brief outline of some of the issues and themes patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during April 2025.

Read about our 2024 to 2025 work and projects and outcomes. As well as plans for 2025 to 2026.

With temperatures expected to rise over the next few days, people in the Black Country are being advised to take precautions.

The Met Office, in partnership with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has issued a yellow heat health alert, indicating that high temperatures could pose a risk to health, particularly for older adults, young children, babies, and those with long-term health conditions.

Temperatures are expected to increase over the next few days, with the yellow alert in effect from tomorrow (Friday 27 June) to Tuesday 1 July.

To stay safe and well during this period of hot weather, people are advised to:

Avoid going out during the hottest part of the day (11am–3pm)
• Plan physical activities such as exercise or dog walking for the cooler hours of the
morning or evening
• Keep indoor spaces cool by closing curtains or blinds on sun-facing windows
• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat if you go outside
• Stay in the shade and use sunscreen regularly
• Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol
• Check in on elderly relatives, neighbours, and anyone who may be more vulnerable
• Be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and know when to seek help.

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “It’s vital that we all take sensible steps to stay cool and hydrated, especially as prolonged periods of heat can pose significant health risks. People who are older, very young, or living with medical conditions are particularly at risk, so keeping an eye on those around us is more important than ever.

“The main risks of hot weather include dehydration, overheating, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. These can also worsen symptoms for people with heart or breathing problems.

“If you or someone else starts to feel unwell, dizzy, weak, or very thirsty, move to a cooler place, rehydrate, and rest. If symptoms persist or get worse, visit NHS 111 online or call 111 for advice.”

Dementia UK is excited to host its free annual Summer School, with the aim of improving practice in and knowledge of dementia care. We invite all health and social care practitioners, including students, volunteer sector workers, and allied professionals who have an interest in improving care and support for families living with dementia.

Parents and carers in the Black Country are being reminded to use their local community pharmacy if their child needs help with minor illnesses or ailments.

The NHS Pharmacy First service allows children to access treatment for five common conditions from
their local pharmacy, without needing a GP appointment.
The aim is to make it easier for people to get the help they need and free up millions of GP
appointments.

Through the Pharmacy First service, children can receive NHS treatment, including antibiotics where
appropriate, for five common conditions including:
• impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
• infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
• earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
• sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
• sinusitis (aged 12 years and over).

Parents can simply walk into a participating pharmacy and request a consultation for their child. If further
treatment is needed, pharmacy teams will signpost families to the most appropriate local health service.
Sukhy Somal, Head of Community Pharmacy Clinical Services, NHS Black Country Integrated Care
Board (ICB), said: “The Black Country ICB is one of the top referrers into the Pharmacy First service.
“As summer begins, we are encouraging parents and carers to think Pharmacy First if their child is
unwell, allowing them to be seen quickly and conveniently at their local pharmacy.

“The scheme enables community pharmacists, who are trained health professionals, to supply
prescription-only medicines, where clinically appropriate, to treat five health conditions for children which
would previously have required a GP appointment.”

The Pharmacy First scheme is also available for adults and covers the following seven common conditions:
• sinusitis (adults and children aged 12 years and over)
• sore throat (adults and children aged 5 years and over)
• earache (children and young adults aged 1 to 17 years)
• infected insect bite (adults and children aged 1 year and over)
impetigo (adults and children aged 1 year and over)
• shingles (adults aged 18 years and over)
• uncomplicated urinary tract infection (women aged 16 to 64 years).

The NHS has created a local social media campaign to encourage people to use this service. You can
view this on the NHS Black Country ICB social media channels.

This survey is about the knowledge and experiences of people from ethnic minority communities in Walsall accessing and using mental health services in primary care.

Your feedback will be anonymised. Your information is important to us and we need to ensure that it is used appropriately and stored securely.

The NHS in the Black Country has issued important guidance as temperatures climb this week.

The Met Office, in conjunction with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has issued a yellow heat alert as temperatures are set to rise this week, with people advised to take extra care in the heatwave conditions.

Over the next few days temperatures across the Black Country are predicted to reach up to 30 degrees Celsius, with the yellow alert in place from Wednesday 18 June until Sunday 22 June.

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “While many of us enjoy the sunshine and warmer weather, high temperatures can pose serious health risks, especially for older adults, young children, and people with existing health conditions. These groups are less able to regulate body temperature and are more vulnerable to overheating, heat exhaustion, and even heatstroke.
“Many of these heat-related illnesses are preventable with a few simple precautions. Try to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day, usually between 11am and 3pm. Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of cool fluids, avoid sunburn by applying sunscreen regularly, and seek shade whenever possible. If you need to go out, take water with you and wear light, loose-fitting clothing. At home, keep indoor spaces cool by closing blinds or curtains in sun-facing rooms.

“It’s also important we look out for one another. Check in on elderly neighbours, friends, or family members who may need extra support during periods of prolonged heat. A small act of kindness can go a long way.

“By taking these simple steps, we can help ensure that everyone stays safe, comfortable, and well during the warmer months.”

If you, or others, start to feel unwell, move out of the heat immediately and drink some water to rehydrate. If you feel dizzy, weak, or have a headache and intense thirst, visit NHS 111 online or call 111 for more advice.

Nurse leaders in Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country are urging parents to make sure children are up to date with their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, amidst increasing cases in the area.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can lead to serious complications, such as severe lung infections and inflammation of the brain. It also damages and suppresses the immune system, leaving children more vulnerable to catching other illnesses.

Cases have risen in recent weeks in Birmingham, prompting calls for parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated and encouraging anyone who wasn’t vaccinated as a child to speak to their GP about a catch-up immunisation if needed.The virus can spread quickly in communities, particularly in settings such as schools and nurseries, if children have not received both doses of the MMR vaccine.

Symptoms of measles include:
• high temperature
• runny or blocked nose
• sneezing
• cough
• red, sore, watery eyes
• rash, which usually appears a few days after cold-like symptoms (sometimes it starts around the ears before spreading to the rest of the body).

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.

Adults and older children can also be vaccinated at any age if they have not been fully vaccinated before and are being encouraged to come forward if they haven’t had two doses.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine, which protects against three serious illnesses - measles, mumps, and rubella.

“Measles is a highly infectious virus which spreads very easily, especially in schools. While most people recover completely within a couple of weeks, measles can cause very serious illness for those in certain at-risk groups including babies and small children, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems.

“There’s no specific medical treatment for measles, so it’s important to get vaccinated as it’s the best protection against becoming seriously unwell. If your child has not yet had the MMR vaccine or hasn’t had both doses, you should call your GP practice and book an appointment as soon as possible.

“Anyone with symptoms is advised to phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice, rather than visiting their GP surgery or A&E, to prevent the illness spreading further.”

Helen Kelly, Chief Nursing Officer for NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board said: “We have seen a small rise in measles cases in Birmingham, but it’s important to remember that even a few cases can lead to rapid spread within our communities. There are lots of myths and misconceptions about the MMR
vaccination, but we know it is safe, effective and remains our best protection against a virus which can be life-threatening in the most serious cases.

“The MMR vaccination is safe for all faiths and cultures, and a pork-free version is available for those who avoid pork products.

“If you’re unsure, I strongly encourage parents to speak to their GP, health visitor or nurse to get accurate information and avoid the risks of misinformation which spreads easily online.”

Parents who are unsure if their child is up to date with all their routine vaccinations should check their child’s Red Book (personal child health record), check the NHS app, or contact their GP practice.