News and reports

Following communication from HWE, local 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 FOI 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 italics.

Pregnant women in the Black Country are being reminded to come forward for a flu vaccine before the offer ends on 31 March.

During pregnancy, your immune system is naturally weaker than usual. This means you are less likely to fight off infections that can be harmful to you and your baby. The flu vaccine is the best way for pregnant women protect themselves and their babies from serious complications associated with flu and is recommended at any stage of pregnancy.

Walk-in flu vaccines are available at a host of community pop-up clinics in the Black Country over the next two weeks, or at a range of community pharmacies until the end of March.

As well as the flu vaccine, pregnant women are also eligible for the RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine and the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine.

RSV is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs which spreads all year round. It often causes symptoms like a cold, such as a runny nose, cough and fever, however for infants the virus can lead to more severe illness and hospitalisation.

Since September, pregnant women have been eligible for the RSV vaccine from 28 weeks of pregnancy, providing vital protection for their babies against RSV for their first few months after they’re born.

Whooping cough can also be dangerous for newborns. Getting the whooping cough vaccine during pregnancy helps protect your baby from birth until they are old enough to be vaccinated themselves. The best time to get this vaccine is between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “Vaccination during pregnancy can help prevent disease or make illness less serious for you, and for your baby.

“When you receive these vaccines, your body produces antibodies that pass through the
placenta to your baby. This gives them protection for the first few months of their life
when they are most vulnerable to infections.

“If you have any questions or concerns about vaccinations during pregnancy, don’t
hesitate to ask your midwife, GP or pharmacist. They are here to support you and your baby’s health every step of the way.”

For more information about the flu pop-up clinics, visit the NHS Black Country ICB website. You can also find a pharmacy near you on the NHS website.

The NHS in the Black Country has also created a leaflet providing key information on the
vaccinations recommended during pregnancy, including the RSV vaccine, why they are
important and where you can get them.

The leaflets are being given to pregnant women during their antenatal appointments at
hospital. You can also view the content of the leaflet online here.

NHS are keen to hear the views and thoughts of women in the West Midlands on breast screening services. So they can look at how and if current services could either be improved or offered more efficiently to increase awareness and attendance once invited to breast screening.

Healthwatch Walsall work to ensure that health and social care meet the needs of local people. We know that young carers like you play a vital role in supporting your family members or loved ones, but your own needs and experiences can go unheard. This survey is your chance to share your thoughts about the support available to you - whether from schools, healthcare services, or the community. Your feedback will help us highlight what's working well and where improvements are needed.

People in the Black Country are being reminded of the simple actions that they can take to reduce the spread of norovirus.
Norovirus is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be very unpleasant, but symptoms usually go away within a few days.
Symptoms of norovirus start suddenly within one to two days of being infected and can include:
• feeling sick (nausea)
• diarrhoea
• being sick (vomiting)
• a high temperature
• a headache
• aching arms or legs.

The virus can be transmitted easily from person to person and is usually spread through close contact with someone with norovirus, contact with contaminated surfaces or objects or by eating food that’s been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus.
People with norovirus and in need of medical help are being reminded to avoid visiting services in-person, and instead use NHS111 online in the first instance

atients will be able to book more appointments online and request to see their usual doctor under a new contract agreed with England's GPs, the government has said.

The deal gives an extra £889m a year to general practices, as well as a reduction in red tape and targets that ministers hope will mean doctors are freed up to see more patients.

The Labour government made manifesto promises to bring back "family" doctors and end the early morning phone "scramble" for appointments.

As Muslims begin to prepare for Ramadan, the NHS has shared a reminder about how to stay safe and healthy during the holy month.
Ramadan is expected to start on Friday 28 February and end on Sunday 30 March, during which time many Muslims will fast and not eat or drink during daylight hours. Fasting during Ramadan can be challenging, especially for those living with a long-term health condition such as diabetes, those who take prescribed medicines or anyone who needs a medical appointment during the holy month.

The NHS has issued important advice to ensure a healthy and safe Ramadan, including:

• If you have a long-term health condition:
Having a medical condition doesn’t mean people can’t fast, but they may need to take precautions such as reviewing their med cation and closely monitoring how they’re feeling. There is also an exemption for people with diabetes, especially for those on insulin or those with any medical complications. If you have diabetes and want to fast during Ramadan, please speak to your GP or diabetes nurse about the safest way to do this. If you monitor your blood glucose levels, you should continue to do so while fasting.

• If you take prescribed medication:
If you are taking prescribed medicines to control an illness, you should continue taking them during Ramadan to prevent further, serious complications developing. You can check with your GP or pharmacist if the doses need to be adjusted or the times that you take them need to be changed. This will allow you to control your illness while completing a fast safely. Those who are unsure about fasting should always seek advice from their healthcare professional.

• If you have a medical condition:
It is important that people keep all medical appointments where possible in Ramadan. If you feel you are unable to keep your appointment, please contact your GP or hospital to re-schedule your appointment for as soon as possible after the holy month ends.

Several partners working in the Borough including health, and the voluntary sector want to ask women and girls about their health. We want to listen to what matters to you and help to develop solutions.

The survey asks a number of questions which will help to better understand women’s health issues in Walsall.

Expressions of interest should be submitted to Aileen Farrer, Healthwatch Walsall
Email: aileen.farrer@healthwatchwalsall.co.uk

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Eligible people in the Black Country are being reminded to come forward for the
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine.

RSV is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs which spreads all year round. It often causes symptoms like a cold, such as a runny nose, cough and fever, and usually gets better by itself. However, for infants and older adults the virus can lead to more severe illness and hospitalisation.

Since last September, people aged 75 to 79 have been eligible to come forward for a free vaccine to protect them from RSV. Pregnant women are also offered the vaccine from 28 weeks into their pregnancy to help protect their babies from RSV for the first few months after they’re born.

In the Black Country, almost 19,000 eligible 75–79-year-olds and roughly 4,000 pregnant women have been vaccinated against RSV to date.

The NHS is sending invites to make an appointment from this week to people not yet vaccinated who are aged 75 to 79 or turned 80 after 1 September 2024. Pregnant women over 28 weeks will be offered the vaccine by the maternity service they are receiving antenatal care from.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “In most people, RSV causes a mild illness with cold-like symptoms that usually gets better by itself. However, it is particularly dangerous for the elderly and infants and can cause severe implications in the first few months of a child's life.

“Cases of RSV peak each winter, but it’s important to remember that this is not just a winter illness, and it can occur all year round. Having the vaccine is safe and effective and reduces the risk of severe symptoms.
“Only one dose is needed for long-term protection which is why we’re urging anyone eligible to
come forward and get vaccinated as soon as possible.”