News and reports

The presentation slides from our Annual Public Meeting held on the 17th of October 2023 are now available to download.

More than 440,000 eligible people in the Black Country can now book their life-saving autumn COVID-19 vaccine.

Eligible people can now book their COVID-19 vaccination online via the National Booking System, by downloading the NHS App, or by calling 119 for free. Eligible groups may also be offered a vaccination by their GP surgeries or other local NHS services.

Those eligible include:
• all adults aged 65 and over
• care home residents
• frontline health and social care staff
• those at increased risk because they are pregnant or have a certain underlying health condition
• unpaid carers
• household contacts of those at risk.

The annual flu vaccine is also being made available to these groups, with more than 700,000 people in the Black Country eligible for a free flu vaccine.

This year’s adult COVID-19 and flu vaccination programme has been brought forward on the advice of scientists following the emergence of a new variant (BA.2.86) and ahead of the winter period.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “It is important for those who are eligible to top up their protection, even if they have had a vaccine or been ill with flu or COVID-19 before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.

“The NHS winter flu and COVID-19 vaccination programme provides vital protection to those eligible and their families over winter, keeping people from developing serious illnesses, and helping to minimise hospitalisations during busy winter months.

“So, I strongly encourage all eligible people to book their lifesaving winter vaccines as soon as they can.”

Yes, it will be on Tuesday 17th October from 11.00 am till 2.30 pm.

The meeting venue is Ryecroft Community Hub, 28 New Forest Rd, Walsall WS3 1TR.

This is an opportunity for you the public to meet the team and to find out the work we have been doing and are currently undertaking.

We will present our Annual Report 2022/2023 as well as give an update on our 2023/2024 work projects.

There will be guest speaker(s) and advice and information from support organisations.

Download and read what we have been doing and achieved over the last year.

A copy of our Annual Public Meeting presentation

Healthwatch continues to gather information locally, through various means, such as surveys, focus groups, one-to-one conversations and questionnaires.

Healthwatch continues to gather information locally, through various means, such as surveys, focus groups, one-to-one conversations and questionnaires.

Healthwatch continues to gather information locally, through various means, such as surveys, focus groups, one-to-one conversations, and questionnaires.

Healthwatch continues to gather information locally, through various means, such as surveys, focus groups, one-to-one conversations and questionnaires.

Healthwatch continues to gather information locally, through various means, such as surveys, focus groups, one-to-one conversations and questionnaires.

Healthwatch continues to gather information locally, through various means, such as surveys, focus groups, one-to-one conversations, and questionnaires.

Healthwatch continues to gather information locally, through various means, such as surveys, focus groups, one-to-one conversations, and questionnaires.