News and reports

Diabetes Self Care Management Programme
If you are living with Diabetes, why not join the Diabetes Self Care Management Programme and take better care of yourself.

By taking part, you will:
• Gain/extend knowledge about how to live with your condition
• Feel confident and more in control of your life
• Manage your condition and treatment together with healthcare professionals
• Be realistic about the impact of your condition on yourself and your family
• Use your new skills and knowledge to improve your quality of life
• Meet others who share similar experiences

If you are living with Chronic Pain, why not join the Chronic Pain Self Care Management Programme and take better care of yourself

The Black Country Local Maternity and Neonatal System (BCLMNS) is looking at a way of working across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. This would mean that care is based on where women and birthing people plan to have their babies – rather than being based on geography

Parents across the Black Country are being urged to make sure children are up to date with their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab, following an increase in measles in the West Midlands.

Measles is a highly infectious disease which can lead to serious complications such as severe lung infections and inflammation of the brain. It also damages and suppresses the whole immune system, meaning children can be left much more susceptible to catching other illnesses.

It can spread quickly among communities, such as schools and nurseries, if children have not had two dose 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.

The NHS has created a video of a local infection prevention nurse sharing the symptoms of measles to look out for and the ways to keep your child safe with the MMR vaccine.

A callout to anyone who has used the NEW Emergency and Urgent Care Centre at Walsall Manor Hospital.

Share your experience, call us on 0800 470 1660 or Email: info@healthwatchwalsall.co.uk

A brief outline of some of the issues and themes that patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during December 2023.

Also, things that you can get involved with!

A brief outline of some of the issues and themes that patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during Novmeber 2023.

Also, things that you can get involved with!

A brief outline of some of the issues and themes that patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during October 2023.

Also, things that you can get involved with!

Local health chiefs have issued important guidance following the updated cold weather
alert.

The Met Office, in conjunction with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has issued an amber weather alert, which is currently in place from Sunday 7 January to Friday 12 January, as severe winter weather is forecast.

An amber alert means extreme cold conditions are expected, with the elderly, people with underlying health conditions, babies and very young children at risk from the weather. In the Black Country, forecasters have predicted severe cold weather and icy conditions with temperatures continuing to reach below zero this week.
People are encouraged to take extra precautions to keep safe while the alerts are in place, such as checking on vulnerable friends and neighbours, keeping food and medications in stock and ensuring homes are adequately heated.

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “Taking extra care during cold weather is really important, particularly for people who are more vulnerable to suffering ill health due to the cold, such as babies and very young children, older people, pregnant women and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

“It is recommended that we should heat our homes to at least 18 degrees Celsius in winter as this minimises risks to our health. If you can’t heat all the rooms you use, heat the living room during the day and your bedroom just before you go to bed.

“Try to avoid going out in cold icy weather but if you do need to go outside wear shoes with slip resistant grip and wear a few layers of thin clothing rather than one thick layer to trap in heat. It is also important that you have frequent hot food and drinks as these can help to keep you warm.

“Make sure you also take the current weather alert into account when planning any activity over
the following few days and try to avoid exposing yourself to cold or icy outdoor conditions,
especially if you’re at a higher risk of cold-related illness or falls.

“We are also asking everyone to remember the needs of friends, relatives, and neighbours who could be at risk during this period of cold weather. Make sure they’re well, and warm and have sufficient stocks of food and medicines, in case they cannot go out for a few days.”

For more advice on staying well in cold weather, visit the NHS website here.

We will be closed on the 25th, 26th and 27th of December. And the 1st of January 2024.

People in the Black Country are being urged to think carefully about which health service they should use during the upcoming industrial action and the Christmas and New Year bank holidays.

Junior doctors are planning to strike from 7am Wednesday 20 December 2023 through to 7am Saturday 23 December 2023, and again from 7am Wednesday 3 January 2024 until 7am Tuesday 9 January 2024, during the traditionally busy Christmas and New Year period.

All health and care partners in the Black Country are working together to prepare for the industrial action and the bank holidays, which will have significant impact on NHS local services, and are asking the public for their support.

Emergency care will be prioritised, and people are being reminded that 999 and emergency departments are still the right services if it is a life-saving emergency. However, for anything that isn’t life-threatening, people are being urged to use 111 online as the first port of call for health needs. People can also call 111 for help, advice, and signposting to the most appropriate service.

Pharmacies, GP appointments, walk-in centres, minor injury units and urgent treatment centres will continue to be available during the industrial action and can help people with a range of injuries and illnesses. People with hospital appointments should continue to come forward for the care they need and do not need to call to check if appointments are going ahead. If appointments do need to be rearranged due to strike action, patients will be contacted directly.

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “We’re approaching what is already one of the busiest times of the year for the NHS and there is no doubt that this level of planned strike action alongside the festive period will create an even greater strain on many of our services.

“Your NHS is still here for you, but we’re asking people to consider whether A&E is the most appropriate place for their needs, and if it’s not, to seek alternatives. “NHS 111 online or by telephone is available 24/7 for urgent medical advice but it's worth remembering that most common ailments at this time of year can be effectively managed at home with advice from a local pharmacy.

“By ensuring you choose the most appropriate service, you will not only you save time waiting, but you will be treated by the most appropriate healthcare professional for your needs. This will also help NHS services to manage demand and ensure hospitals can focus on treating people with serious and life-threatening conditions.”

The NHS has also been reminding people to order any repeat prescriptions in advance. This not only helps avoid a last-minute rush for GP practices and pharmacies, but also helps ease the burden on the NHS 111 service and hospitals.

Dr Julian Hobbs, Medical Director at Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Undoubtedly this festive period will be a huge challenge as we prepare not only for our busiest time of the year, but also the impact of the longest industrial action period so far across our hospitals.

“Our number one priority is to ensure that those in greatest need continue to have access to high quality care and our immediate focus will be on the safe delivery of urgent and emergency care services.

“Planned appointments and clinics are likely to be affected, however people should continue to attend their appointments unless they are contacted directly by the NHS.

“I'd also like to thank all health and care teams across the Black Country for their work over this busy time, as always your dedication in helping those who need help and support is greatly appreciated.”

NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do. You can contact the service online 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

A small number of pharmacies will be open on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day for any people in need of an emergency prescription, urgent advice on medicine or a confidential consultation for a minor health concern.

Opening times for all of the Black Country’s pharmacies, including those staying open on the bank holidays, can be found on the NHS website.

People should only call 999 if it is a medical emergency