News and reports

BBC News article 17th April 2025

A scheme to help GPs provide care and advice to patients without them joining long NHS hospital waiting lists is being expanded in England, the government has said.

GPs will work more closely with specialists to access expert advice quickly for patients with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, menopause symptoms and ear infections.

Backed by £80m of funding, its ambition is to help two million people receive faster and more convenient care in their local community by the end of 2025/26.

We have just realised our latest report. It's worth a read!

If you have any comments about the report, then please share them, email: info@healthwatchwalsall.co.uk

If you or your family become unwell, you may not always need to see a doctor or get a prescription. Your local pharmacists are clinically trained experts in medicines, managing minor illnesses and providing health and wellbeing advice.

Pharmacists can help you with common problems such as coughs, colds, aches and pains. They alsomay offer medication advice and free consultations,perform health checks, and treat minor injuries and ailments.

Somepharmacies offer extended opening hours in the evenings and at weekends, and there is no need to book an appointment –just walk in.

As we move into the winter months, your local pharmacy can help you to get the help you need.

Current involvement opportunities with the Black Country Integrated Care Board.

Below text from a letter from the BCICB.

We are recruiting a small co-design expert advisory group focused on improving interpretation and translation services, to better meet the language and communication needs of people when accessing NHS primary care services in the Black Country. We are seeking applications from experts with lived and learned experience, to review and shape a new specification as part of a re-procurement of the service, with people and communities at its heart, through their insights, experiences and ideas. Applicants will be local organisations, community groups, or leaders who are trusted voices in the community, who work closely with people experiencing language and communication barriers, or who have good knowledge of the needs and challenges experienced by the community, when accessing primary care.

Successful candidates will be expected to take part in up to 4 x half day advisory group meetings. Successful applicants will be compensated for their involvement at the rate of £75 per half day meeting. We will also explore the scope of other opportunities with advisory group members, to potentially deliver community conversations (in late-May/ early-July) on behalf of the ICB, if the need arises due to gaps in our insight and intelligence. Furthermore, there may be an opportunity to nominate one member of the advisory group to join the procurement panel as a lay representative. You should complete and return the below EOI form by no later than 11.59pm on- Thursday 8 May 2025, though we would encourage you to complete at your earliest convenience as applications could be closed early if there are a high number of responses.

If you want to discuss your EOI during the application process or if you need any support, you can: · Contact kathryn.meredith@nhs.net or · Register to attend our virtual briefing session on 30 April 2025.

Please also get in touch if you would like this form in another language or format.

Ahead of the Easter bank holiday weekend (Friday 18 April – Monday 21 April), people in the Black Country are being reminded how to get the right care if they feel unwell.

Due to the bank holidays, some services such as GP surgeries and pharmacies may be closed or operating reduced hours. However, selected pharmacies will remain open for prescriptions, non-urgent medical advice and treatment of common ailments.

People who need medical help that isn’t an emergency should contact NHS 111 in the first instance by visiting 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111.

NHS 111 can help direct people to the most appropriate local health service if they aren’t sure where to go – this could include an out of hours GP, a pharmacy, a local NHS walk-in centre, or a hospital accident & emergency (A&E) department.

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “Bank holidays are a wonderful time for families and communities to come together, but we know it can be a worry if you or a loved one becomes unwell and you’re unsure where to turn for support.

“It’s important to remember that NHS services are still here for you throughout the long weekend. NHS 111 is a good first step, whether you call or go online, and they’ll help you get the right care, in the right place, without delay.

“Many pharmacies will also be open and are a great option for advice and treatment for minor health concerns. From coughs and colds, to upset stomachs and sore throats, your local pharmacist can offer expert help without the need for an appointment.

“By choosing the right service this bank holiday, you’ll get the care you need while helping A&E teams focus on those with serious or life-threatening conditions.”

A&E departments and 999 are there to treat the most serious and life-threatening conditions.

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

An NHS double-decker bus is touring the Black Country this week (Monday 7 April – Friday 11 April) to help raises awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and the importance of early detection.

Organised by the local NHS in partnership with the four local authorities in the Black Country, the cancer bus tour is an opportunity for local people to meet and talk with a range of clinicians about how to check for symptoms of cancer, the support services available and what to do if they’re concerned.

Information about the three main NHS cancer screening programmes - breast, bowel and cervical - will be available, including what ages people will be invited, what’s involved in the screening and what the results will tell us.

Free health checks will also be available, such as blood pressure and blood sugar tests.

The bus will be at a range of locations throughout the week, including:
• Monday 7 April, the Fountain, Dudley High Street, 10am-4pm
• Tuesday 8 April, Park Street, Walsall Town Centre, 10am-4pm
• Wednesday 9 April, Oldbury Council House, Sandwell, 10am-4pm
• Thursday 10 April, Queen Square, Wolverhampton City Centre, 10am-4pm
• Friday 11 April, Windmill Shopping Centre, Smethwick, 10am-4pm

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “We know that early cancer diagnosis saves lives, and this bus tour is all about bringing vital information and support directly to the heart of our communities in the Black Country.

“By making it easier for people to talk to clinicians, ask any questions they may have and learn more about cancer symptoms, we hope to break down barriers and encourage more people to take action if something doesn’t feel right.

“Whether it’s a quick health check or finding out more about screening programmes in the Black Country, the bus is here to help, so we’d encourage everyone to stop by this week if they can.”

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 2025.

People in the Black Country are being reminded to order any repeat prescriptions they may need 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 18 April to Monday 21 April, making it more challenging for patients to access medicines at short notice.

Every bank holiday, NHS 111 sees an increase in people getting in touch about repeat prescriptions. Waiting and using emergency or urgent services over the Easter break puts added pressure on already busy services.

To avoid this and to ensure health is not put at any unnecessary risk, people are being asked to submit any repeat prescriptions that are due for renewal by Monday 7 April to make sure there is enough time for them to be processed and dispensed.

Dr Mona Sidhu, Medical Director of Primary Care for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “If you take any prescribed medication on a regular basis, it’s important to plan ahead and order your repeat prescription in plenty of time to make sure you don’t run out over the Easter bank holiday weekend.

“By checking your medication now, you can save yourself the worry of possibly not getting what you need on time and being caught short over the bank holiday when your GP practice will be closed.

“The easiest way to order repeat prescriptions is via the NHS App or through your GP practice website. If you do not have access to GP online services, you can phone your GP practice to order prescriptions.”

Most repeat medication requests can be made online, via local practice websites or through the NHS App. People who do not use the internet can approach their practice to access their prescriptions.

If people feel unwell over the bank holiday weekend, but it’s not life threatening, they can check their symptoms and access advice by using the NHS 111 service online or by calling NHS 111.

NHS 111 can help direct people to the most appropriate local health service if they aren’t sure where to go –this could include an out of hours GP, a pharmacy, a local NHS walk-in centre, or a hospital accident & emergency (A&E) department.

There may be useful information and advice

As part of our 2024/2025 work projects, we have now released the public report.