News and reports

Eligible people in the Black Country are being urged to come forward for a flu vaccination.

The flu can be a serious illness, particularly for those with underlying health conditions, the elderly, and young children.

The flu vaccine helps protect those most at risk from getting the flu. If you do get flu and have been vaccinated, the symptoms are likely to be milder and not last as long. This will reduce your risk of needing to go to hospital with serious flu illness.

People are eligible for a flu vaccination if they are aged 65 or over, pregnant, aged 6 months to 64 years in clinical risk groups, live in a care home for older adults, or are frontline health and social care workers.

A host of pop-up clinics have been set up across the Black Country, offering flu vaccinations for all eligible adults until the end of March, with no appointment necessary. To find your nearest pop-up clinic, visit the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board website.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “The flu vaccine is the safest and most effective way to help protect against flu and is designed to help protect those who are most at risk from developing complications from the virus, helping to minimise hospitalisations.
“It is important to top up your protection, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.

“That’s why we are reminding all eligible individuals that it’s not too late to come forward for the flu vaccine, if they haven’t taken up the offer of getting it already.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said:
“The flu vaccine is the safest and most effective way to help protect against flu and is designed to help protect those who are most at risk from developing complications from the virus, helping to minimise hospitalisations.

“It is important to top up your protection, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu
before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.

“That’s why we are reminding all eligible individuals that it’s not too late to come forward for the flu vaccine, if they haven’t taken up the offer of getting it already “Flu vaccinations are available until the end of March, but it’s best to get vaccinated sooner to protect yourself during winter.”

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Victims of FGM are being supported by a dedicated service in the Black Country.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, but there's no medical reason for this to be done.

It's also known as female circumcision or cutting and is illegal in the UK. FGM is usually carried out on young girls between infancy and the age of 15, most commonly before puberty starts.

In the Black Country, there are two dedicated clinics offering support for pregnant women and non-pregnant women, run by Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.

The clinics opened back in 2019 and have recently been commissioned for a further three years by the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board. The service is run by specialist lead midwife Alison Byrne, who has more than 22 years’ experience within this field.

Basma Kamel, 32, was born in Egypt and underwent FGM when she was just nine years old. She moved to the UK in 2019 and was referred by her GP to the FGM clinic for non-pregnant women at Summerfield Primary Care Centre, where she received support.

She said: “I remember being nine years old and going to a clinic in Egypt with my mother to see a doctor who performed an exam on me. During the exam he said I needed to be circumcised, and I was booked in the next day to have the procedure. I was only given local anaesthetic during the procedure, so I was awake during the whole thing, and I could feel everything. They tried to give me a bigger dose of anaesthetic, but it didn’t work, and I can still vividly remember feeling the scissors as they cut me. Because of this, the circumcision wasn’t fully completed and still have part of my labia left which has caused quite a few health issues over the years.

“I moved to the UK back in 2019 and when I went to see my local GP, he referred me to the FGM clinic where I received both physical and psychological support by Alison and the team. It was the first time since I had FGM as a little girl that I’d received any professional support, and it’s made such a difference. It’s been more than five years since I was first referred to the clinic and I’ve since moved to London, but Alison still checks in on me every now and again to see how I am which is lovely.

“There’s such a taboo when it comes to FGM, and people don’t talk about it. As women, we learn to suffer in silence but there is support out there. I would urge anyone who is a survivor of FGM to come forward and get help, whether its physical treatment or wellbeing support.”

Alison said: “FGM is very painful and can seriously harm the health of women and girls. It can
also cause long-term problems with sex, childbirth and mental health.

“Survivors of FGM deserve to be heard and supported which is why our FGM service is so important. We know that damage caused by FGM affects women differently and so we ensure every woman’s care package is tailored to their specific needs, whether that’s physical or emotional.

“We have two clinics, one for pregnant women and one for non-pregnant women which run twice a month and is available for all women and girls who have been affected by FGM. The services we offer help many women who sometimes are unsure about how to access care or treatment after undergoing this procedure.

“The service is discreet and care is provided in the strictest of confidence, so I would encourage anyone who needs to support to get in touch.”

The clinic for pregnant women is held in the Maternity Department at the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Smethwick. Community or antenatal midwives will refer women into this particular clinic The clinic for non-pregnant women is held at Summerfield Primary Care Centre, in Heath Street, Winson Green, which is near the Midland Met. Women can self-refer or be referred by their GP, or alternatively anyone can refer a woman to the clinic.

To mark World Cancer Day (Tuesday 4 February), a series of pop-up cancer conversation shops are taking place across the Black Country next week to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and screening programmes.

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

Attendees will be given information on the breast, bowel, cervical and lung NHS cancer screening programmes including when people will be invited and what's involved in the screening. Local support also will be offered for people living with and beyond cancer.

People will also be offered a health check on the day, including blood pressure checks and
blood sugar tests.

Dates and times for the pop-up shops are:
• Friday 7 February, Shop next to costa Coffee, Upper Floor, Park Mall, Sadler’s Centre, Walsall, 10am to 3pm.
• Tuesday 4 February, Urban Rooms, 19 Queen’s Square, Wolverhampton (opposite NatWest bank), 10am-3pm.
• Saturday 8 February, Brierley Hill Market, at the back by the café, High Street, Brierley Hill, 10am to 3pm.

Early detection is the most effective defence against cancer, and people must understand the signs and symptoms to watch for, as well as the screening programmes available.

Dr Mona Sidhu, Medical Director of Primary Care for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: "This is why initiatives like the cancer pop-up conversation shops are so important. They provide an invaluable opportunity to engage with individuals one-on-one about cancer - especially those who may not realise they are at risk, may not recognise potential symptoms, or feel hesitant or fearful about taking action.

"Remember, if you notice something unusual for you or something that isn't going away, it’s important to consult your GP. While it’s likely not cancer, identifying it early can make a significant difference if it is."

The Regional Partnership Group is looking to recruit 8-10 volunteers across the West Midlands to join a lived experience regional group.

Expressions of interest should be submitted by Monday 3rd February 2025.

Download the poster for full details.

The Bereavement Journey is a 7-session series of films and discussion groups that gently guides bereaved people through the most common aspects of grief and bereavement to help them process their loss.

Facilitated by volunteers, any person bereaved at any time is helped to consider for themselves the implications of their bereavement and to discern the next steps. For most people The Bereavement Journey provides the tools they need, either to process their loss without one-to-one professional assistance or to identify where further support might help.

For full information download the two documents.

Pharmacy First was launched by the NHS in January 2024 with the aim of enabling pharmacists to provide advice and treatment such as antibiotics for a range of minor ailments. This service would then be able free up GP appointments for those with more serious or long-term health conditions.   

This report outlines the feedback from the people of Walsall who took part in the project by completing the short survey.

The 10th National Self Harm & Suicide Prevention Conference 2025

Online peer support group for anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ who has lost a loved one to suicide. 

Meetings are the last Monday of the month, 7 – 9pm virtually.

People in the Black Country are being reminded that they have two weeks left to take up the offer
of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Friday 20 December marked the last day that COVID-19 vaccine appointments could be booked via the National Booking System, following guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

However, walk-in vaccines remain available at a host of community pop-up clinics in the Black
Country until the end of January. This is the last opportunity for eligible people to receive a
COVID-19 vaccination.

People are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine if they are aged 65 or over, pregnant, aged 6 months to 64 years in clinical risk groups, live in a care home for older adults, or are a frontline health and social care worker.

Walk-in COVID-19 vaccines are available at the following locations over the next two weeks:
Wolverhampton
• Sainsburys, Bentley Bridge, WV11 1UP
o Thursday 23 January, 11am-6pm
• Wolverhampton City Centre, Queens Square, WV1
o Friday 24 January, 9am-3pm
• Sainsburys, Raglan Street, WV3 0ST
o Thursday 30 January, 9am-3pm
Dudley
• Dudley Market Place, High Street, DY1 1PQ
o Friday 17 January, 9am-2pm
o Friday 31 January, 9am-2pm
• Asda, Pearson Street, Brierley Hill, DY5 3

Walsall
• Tesco, Silver Street, Brownhills, WS8 6DZ
o Tuesday 21 January, 9am-3pm
• Willenhall Market, Market Place, Willenhall, WV13 2AA
o Wednesday 29 January, 9am-3pm
Sandwell
• Asda, Wednesbury Oak Road, Tipton, DY4 0BP
o Monday 20 January, 9am-3pm
• Wednesbury Town Centre (near Clock Tower)
o Wednesday 22 January, 9am-3pm
• Tesco, Fox Oak Street, Cradley Heath, B64 5DF
o Tuesday 28 January, 9am-3pm
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “The COVID-19 vaccination programme started in October and since then more than 134,000 people in the Black Country have come forward for a vaccine to get protected.

“Now, with just two weeks left before the COVID-19 vaccination offer closes, we want to encourage everyone who is eligible and yet to receive a vaccine, to come forward before it’s too late.

“COVID-19 hasn’t gone away but your protection from previous vaccinations wanes over time, so it’s still important to get your jab if you are eligible. So, please visit our pop-up clinics over the next few weeks.”

Flu vaccinations are also available at the pop-up clinics for those eligible and will remain available until the end of March

Read or download our Walsall Manor Hospital Discharge report.

With flu cases rising in the Black Country, eligible people are being urged to come
forward for a flu vaccination.

This year’s winter vaccination programme is focused on protecting those most vulnerable to flu. This includes older adults, and people with certain underlying health conditions such as heart or respiratory disease, or a weakened immune system, as they are at greater risk of illness from the virus.

Since the roll out of the vaccination programme in October, more than 300,000 people have
received a flu vaccination, however that’s just under half of those eligible. With latest data
showing 826 people in hospital with flu in the first week of January in the Black Country, eligible people are being urged to come forward for a flu vaccine.

A host of pop-up clinics have been set up across the Black Country, offering both flu and COVID-19 vaccinations for all eligible adults throughout January, with no appointment necessary.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country ICB, said: “During the winter
months, we spend more time indoors or in crowded spaces, so viruses spread at a much
quicker rate. If you are elderly, pregnant or have certain health conditions, flu can be very
dangerous and even life-threatening.

“The flu vaccine is the safest and most effective way to help protect against flu and is designed to help protect those who are most at risk from developing complications from the virus, helping to minimise hospitalisations.

“It is important to top up your protection, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu
before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year. That’s why we are asking all eligible individuals to get their flu jab as soon as possible, if they haven’t taken up the offer of getting it already.”

Flu vaccinations are available until the end of March, but it’s best to get vaccinated sooner to protect yourself during winter.

Julian Hobbs, Medical Director at The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are seeing a high number of patients in our Black Country hospitals with flu and respiratory conditions, especially people who are elderly or vulnerable, and children.

“I would encourage people who have been invited to have their flu vaccination to take up the offer, to help give the best possible protection. The public can also play their part by using the most appropriate services for their needs over the coming weeks.

“By taking simple steps like using pharmacies for minor ailments, getting vaccinated against respiratory illnesses such as flu and COVID-19 if you’re eligible, and using NHS 111 for advice, you can help us ensure that our A&E departments are there for those who need urgent and emergency care the most.”