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Advice and Information
Our report on patient experiences of Walsall Urology Services is now available
As part of our 2024/2025 work projects, we have now released the public report.
Report
Spring COVID-19 vaccine roll out to start in the Black Country
Eligible people in the Black Country are invited to come forward for spring COVID-19 vaccine from next week.
Similar to last year’s spring COVID-19 vaccine roll out, those eligible for a vaccine include:
• adults aged 75 years and over
• residents in a care home for older adults
• individuals aged six months and over who have a weakened immune system.
Those who turn 75 years old between 1 April and 17 June 2025 can also have the jab. Appointments can be booked now via the NHS website, the NHS App or by calling 119, with first appointments available from Tuesday 1 April until Tuesday 17 June.
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “The vaccine has been our most effective tool against COVID-19, saving countless lives and helping thousands of people to stay out of hospital.
“However, protection against COVID-19, from either from catching the virus or from a previous vaccination, can fade over time and the circulating strain of the virus can change. That’s why if you are at higher risk of severe illness from the virus, it is important that you top up your protection and come forward for a vaccine this spring.
“If you know you’re eligible, you don’t need to wait to be contacted, you can book an appointment via the NHS website, the NHS App or by calling 119 today.”
While having the spring vaccine around six months after your last dose is the usual timeframe, eligible people can have it as soon as three months after a previous COVID-19 vaccine dose.
If you are eligible, you can get protection from a spring COVID-19 vaccination even if you have not taken up a COVID-19 vaccine offer in the past.
Similar to last year’s spring COVID-19 vaccine roll out, those eligible for a vaccine include:
• adults aged 75 years and over
• residents in a care home for older adults
• individuals aged six months and over who have a weakened immune system.
Those who turn 75 years old between 1 April and 17 June 2025 can also have the jab. Appointments can be booked now via the NHS website, the NHS App or by calling 119, with first appointments available from Tuesday 1 April until Tuesday 17 June.
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “The vaccine has been our most effective tool against COVID-19, saving countless lives and helping thousands of people to stay out of hospital.
“However, protection against COVID-19, from either from catching the virus or from a previous vaccination, can fade over time and the circulating strain of the virus can change. That’s why if you are at higher risk of severe illness from the virus, it is important that you top up your protection and come forward for a vaccine this spring.
“If you know you’re eligible, you don’t need to wait to be contacted, you can book an appointment via the NHS website, the NHS App or by calling 119 today.”
While having the spring vaccine around six months after your last dose is the usual timeframe, eligible people can have it as soon as three months after a previous COVID-19 vaccine dose.
If you are eligible, you can get protection from a spring COVID-19 vaccination even if you have not taken up a COVID-19 vaccine offer in the past.
Advice and Information
Get your oral contraception at a Black Country pharmacy
Women across the Black Country can now get their supply of oral contraception at a local pharmacy, without the need to see a GP.
More than 200 pharmacies in the Black Country are participating in this new service, aiming to increase choice for women in the ways in which they can access contraception.
Oral contraception, known as ‘the pill’, can now be accessed at a pharmacy without a referral from a GP. Women can also be referred to their pharmacy by their GP practice or a sexual health clinic.
The pharmacist will offer a confidential consultation and will offer the first supply of the pill, or the ongoing supply of their current oral contraception. This is an NHS service, so the supply of oral contraception will be exempt from any prescription charges.
Sukhy Somal, Head of Community Pharmacy Clinical Services for the NHS Black Country
Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “This new service is another great milestone in showing how much of an important role community pharmacists are improving wider access to healthcare services.
“This is a safe and confidential service for women across the Black Country and allows general practice and sexual health services to free up appointments for more complex assessments.
“Women will still receive their yearly pill check-up, like they would with their GP, which they will have when requesting their next supply of contraception. It is still encouraged to seek medical advice from a pharmacist or doctor if any unusual side effects continue after three months.”
Individuals do not need to be registered with a GP to access this service. Pharmacies will only inform the GP practice that individuals have accessed the service, with their consent.
Business cards are being rolled out for patients across the Black Country enabling pharmacists to write down the date of the next supply of contraception and the name of the pharmacy.
Contraception is free and confidential, including for young people under the age of 16. The doctor or nurse will not tell anyone, including parents or carer, unless they think you or someone else is at risk of harm.
More than 200 pharmacies in the Black Country are participating in this new service, aiming to increase choice for women in the ways in which they can access contraception.
Oral contraception, known as ‘the pill’, can now be accessed at a pharmacy without a referral from a GP. Women can also be referred to their pharmacy by their GP practice or a sexual health clinic.
The pharmacist will offer a confidential consultation and will offer the first supply of the pill, or the ongoing supply of their current oral contraception. This is an NHS service, so the supply of oral contraception will be exempt from any prescription charges.
Sukhy Somal, Head of Community Pharmacy Clinical Services for the NHS Black Country
Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “This new service is another great milestone in showing how much of an important role community pharmacists are improving wider access to healthcare services.
“This is a safe and confidential service for women across the Black Country and allows general practice and sexual health services to free up appointments for more complex assessments.
“Women will still receive their yearly pill check-up, like they would with their GP, which they will have when requesting their next supply of contraception. It is still encouraged to seek medical advice from a pharmacist or doctor if any unusual side effects continue after three months.”
Individuals do not need to be registered with a GP to access this service. Pharmacies will only inform the GP practice that individuals have accessed the service, with their consent.
Business cards are being rolled out for patients across the Black Country enabling pharmacists to write down the date of the next supply of contraception and the name of the pharmacy.
Contraception is free and confidential, including for young people under the age of 16. The doctor or nurse will not tell anyone, including parents or carer, unless they think you or someone else is at risk of harm.
Advice and Information
Less than a week left to get a flu vaccine
Eligible people in the Black Country are being reminded they only have a few days left to take up the offer of a flu vaccine before the offer ends on Monday 31 March.
The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu, including those:
• aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2025)
• who have certain long-term health conditions
• are pregnant
• who live in a care home
• who are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
• who live with someone who has a weakened immune system.
Eligible people can get a flu vaccine a range of community pharmacies in the Black Country, with no appointment necessary. To find a pharmacy near you visit the NHS website.
A number of community pop-up clinics in Walsall and Dudley are available until Monday, offering vaccines on a walk-in basis:
Walsall
• Willenhall Market, Market Place, Willenhall, WV13 2AA, Wednesday 26 March 2025,
9am-3pm
Dudley
• Dudley Market Place, High Street, DY1 1PQ, Friday 28 March 2025, 9am-2pm
• Asda, Pearson Street, Brierley Hill, DY5 3BJ, Monday 31 March 2025, 10am-4pm
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “There are only a few days left to get your flu vaccine before the offer ends on Monday 31 March.
“The flu vaccine provides the best protection against serious illness and hospitalisation.
“If you haven’t had yours yet, there’s still time to come forward and get protected.”
The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu, including those:
• aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2025)
• who have certain long-term health conditions
• are pregnant
• who live in a care home
• who are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
• who live with someone who has a weakened immune system.
Eligible people can get a flu vaccine a range of community pharmacies in the Black Country, with no appointment necessary. To find a pharmacy near you visit the NHS website.
A number of community pop-up clinics in Walsall and Dudley are available until Monday, offering vaccines on a walk-in basis:
Walsall
• Willenhall Market, Market Place, Willenhall, WV13 2AA, Wednesday 26 March 2025,
9am-3pm
Dudley
• Dudley Market Place, High Street, DY1 1PQ, Friday 28 March 2025, 9am-2pm
• Asda, Pearson Street, Brierley Hill, DY5 3BJ, Monday 31 March 2025, 10am-4pm
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “There are only a few days left to get your flu vaccine before the offer ends on Monday 31 March.
“The flu vaccine provides the best protection against serious illness and hospitalisation.
“If you haven’t had yours yet, there’s still time to come forward and get protected.”
News
Black Country Questions for the BC ICB FOI/EIR 1143 National Policy & Holding ICBs to account
Following communication from HealthWatch England (HWE), local HealthWatch (HW) were encouraged to submit the following questions to their local ICB. HWW duly submitted the questions which had been tailored for the Black Country. The questions were submitted under a Freddom Of Information request which the ICB duly responded to and gave permission for their responses to be made public via our website. The ICB responses are shown in blue.
News
Your experiences of NHS Pelvic Health Care - DURING & AFTER PREGNANCY
The Black Country LMNS (Local Maternity and Neonatal System) are currently working to improve the Pelvic Health Care that you receive from the NHS during and after pregnancy. Pelvic health problems may include leaking of urine (pee) and/or stool (poo), prolapse (bulging or swelling), injuries and infection in the area between the vagina and anus, pelvic girdle pain (pain in the pelvic area and/or back) and abdominal rectus diastasis (tummy muscle separation).
News
Do you use a Pharmacy? Tell us what works and maybe what doesn't
Take part in this survey and let us know what works for you and maybe what doesn't. Your valuable feedback will go into a report and be shared with the commissioner of Pharmacy services and you the public.
News
Our latest E Bulletin for February 2025 is now available
A brief outline of some of the issues and themes patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during February 2025.
Response
Our January 2025 E-Bulletin is now available
A brief outline of some of the issues and themes patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during January 2025.
Report
Pharmacies prepare to cut opening hours in funding protest
About 6,000 community pharmacies in England are being advised to start working to rule in two weeks, unless an agreement can be reached with the government on a new NHS contract.
News
Do you use a Pharmacy?
Tell us how using your pharmacy works for you.
Take part in a short survey and you may help with the development of Walsall Pharmacy services in the future.
Take part in a short survey and you may help with the development of Walsall Pharmacy services in the future.
News