News and reports

Thank you for the time you have spent sharing your Walsall health and social care service(s) experience(s)
over the last year.

We will be closed on the 25th, 26th, and 29th of December 2025.

Note: We are not open on weekends.

If you need urgent medical help call: 999 or NHS111.

A brief outline of some of the issues and themes patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during December 2025.

People in Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull are being encouraged to think carefully about which NHS service they use during the upcoming industrial action.

Resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, are planning to strike from 7am on Wednesday 17 December to 7am on Monday 22 December 2025.

During these strikes, all other NHS staff (including consultants and other specialist doctors) will still be working, and the focus of the NHS will be on ensuring as many services as possible continue to operate safely.

Patients with hospital appointments should attend as planned unless contacted directly by the NHS to reschedule. There is no need to call to check if your appointment is going ahead. Health and care partners across Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull are working to prepare for the industrial action and are asking local people to support by choosing the right service for their health needs.

Anyone who needs urgent care should use NHS 111 online or call NHS 111 to be assessed and directed to the right service. In life-threatening emergencies, people should call 999 or go to A&E as normal. Services such as pharmacies, GP practices, walk-in centres, minor injury units, and urgent treatment centres will remain open during the industrial action and can support people with a wide range of health concerns.

Sally Roberts, Chief Quality Officer and Chief Nursing Officer for NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) and NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB said: “During the period of industrial action, our priority remains providing safe care to those who need it. We ask the public to use NHS services responsibly so that care is available for patients with the greatest need.

“If you require medical help or advice, please visit NHS 111 online as your first point of contact. They can guide you to the most appropriate service, which may include a local pharmacy, GP practice, or walk-in centre. Please remember that 999 and A&E should be reserved for life-threatening emergencies.” GP practices will continue to be open as normal during the industrial action. Please continue to attend your GP and dental appointments unless you are contacted and told otherwise.

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.

Local pharmacy services and opening times in Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull can be found on the NHS website. People should only call 999 if it is a medical emergency.

Great to see and chat with the Walsall Mayor, Cllr. Louise Harrison again yesterday at the Walsall Energy Action Project public event at Walsall Town Hall. The rain may have kept some people away, but it was visited by many members of the Walsall public.

The Mayor bought her own ray of sunshine with a smile.

Share your experiences of Walsall health and social care services by visiting our online 24/7 feedback platform, 'Have Your Say'.

Residents in Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull are being reminded to order their repeat prescriptions ahead of Christmas and New Year closures.

NHS 111 sees an increase in people getting in touch about repeat prescriptions over bank holiday periods, which can put additional pressure on already busy services. Residents should plan ahead if they have regular medicines on repeat prescription by checking that they have enough to last them over the festive period, and by ordering their repeat prescriptions by 10 December if they are due for renewal.

This will help ensure that health is not put at unnecessary risk, delays are minimised, and enough time is given for requests to be processed and dispensed.

Most repeat prescription requests can be made online, via local practice websites or through the NHS App. Residents without internet access can approach their GP practice.

Sukhy Somal, ICS Head of Community Pharmacy Clinical Services for NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “As GP practices and pharmacies will have different opening hours over the festive period, it’s important that people are prepared and get their repeat prescription orders in early. Not only will this reduce their risk of running out and becoming unwell, but it will also mean that festivities can be enjoyed without the stress of trying to get hold of medicines at a more challenging and busy time.

“Repeat prescriptions can be requested quickly and easily at home through the NHS App, and users can even change their chosen pharmacy to ensure that their prescription gets sent to the most convenient location for them.”

Shalina Anwar, ICS Community Pharmacy Clinical Lead for NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “As well as following repeat prescription advice, it’s also important that people remember to utilise pharmacy services to stay well this winter. Pharmacists are healthcare professionals that can provide help, advice and treatment, if appropriate, for seven common illnesses through the Pharmacy First scheme, without the need for an appointment. They can also advise residents on the best treatments they should have in their home medicine cabinets for common winter illnesses, so they are well stocked and ready for the colder months ahead.”

Some local pharmacies can have different opening times over the festive period, and residents can check which pharmacies will be available via the NHS England website.

If urgent health advice or treatment is needed, NHS 111 is available 24/7 and can be accessed by dialling 111, visiting 111.nhs.uk or through the NHS App.

To read or download a copy.

A brief outline of some of the issues and themes patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during November 2025.

Packed full of information and advice.

A brief outline of some of the issues and themes patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during October 2025.

Here is a range of information to make important savings in your own home.

Saving energy around the home.
Understanding your energy bills.
Improving the efficiency of your home.
Ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

The Walsall Energy Action Project is offering FREE 1-2-1 advice sessions and Home Energy Advice visits for the residents of Walsall.

For more information please contact your nearest partner hub below.
Bloxwich Library/Launchpad, WS3 2DA weap@walsall.gov.uk
Ryecroft Community Hub, WS3 1TR 01922 626693
Darlaston All Active, WS10 8AA 0121 568 6144
Aaina Community Hub, WS1 3BS 01922 644006
Nash Dom CIC, WS1 4AL 01922 616444
Brownhills C.A. The Lamp, WS8 7JS 01543 452119

Women across the Black Country are being encouraged to visit their local pharmacy for the morning after pill (emergency contraception) – making it quicker and easier to access the care they need without booking a GP or clinic appointment.

Following the successful launch of the oral contraception service in March 2025, which allows patients to start or continue taking the contraceptive pill directly from their local pharmacy, the region has now extended access to include the morning after pill (emergency hormonal contraception).

More than 200 pharmacies across the Black Country are now participating in this expanded service, aimed at increasing choice, accessibility and confidentiality. Services include:
• Supply of oral contraception (the pill) – first supply or continuation – with a confidential consultation at the pharmacy, free of prescription charge.
• Supply of the morning after pill (emergency contraception) – available as part of this service extension, so that people needing it urgently do not have to wait for a GP appointment.

Sukhy Somal, Head of Community Pharmacy Clinical Services for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are trained experts to provide timely, safe, confidential access to both regular and emergency contraception. This helps people avoid delays and ensures better support across the Black Country.”

The morning after pill is most effective the sooner it is taken after unprotected sex, and this new service aims to remove barriers to timely access. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians will provide information on ongoing contraception options and sexual health services where appropriate.

The new services are part of an NHS England initiative to expand the range of clinical services available in community pharmacies, helping to free up GP appointments while improving timely access to care.
Residents can find participating pharmacies across Walsall, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Dudley on the Black Country ICB website or by asking their local pharmacy.

You may have heard about an awful sexual assault, said to be racially motivated which took place over the weekend in Walsall. The perpetrator has we are advised been arrested but this has given many of us pause for thought. Women and girls of any background should not feel threatened, unsafe or at risk. This just isn’t acceptable !

We have had the following guidance/advice from the Police which we are circulating to our VCSE membership and the network and would ask you to share with your networks, family and friends too on all platforms. Apologies in advance if you receive this email a couple of times as you may be on different email lists that we hold from our International Women’s Day events that we have held.

Making the West Midlands a safer place for our communities, particularly women and girls is our priority.

Following recent incidents, we have been holding meetings with community leaders and other partners to listen to and discuss concerns.

We have been linking in with women’s charities, female community leaders, community safety partners, independent advisory groups and local politicians to discuss women’s safety.

We continue to visit faith establishments and speak with local leaders about women’s safety and what measures men can take to make women feel more comfortable.

We understand the fear and concern this type of crime can cause for our communities.

Here’s some advice to keep yourself safe:

• Stay alert – awareness is your best defence.

• If you are going out, plan your journey and let someone know.

• Try to leave places with friends or family wherever possible.

• Try to stay in well-lit areas.

• Be confident – even if you don't feel it.

• Travel as if you know where you are going.

• Take the most direct route and try to stay within areas where other people are around.

• Have your keys available when you reach your home or car.

• Carry a personal alarm and use it when necessary.

The following tips may seem obvious but there are some simple things we can all do to help other people feel safer when they’re out and about.

Keep your distance

When walking behind someone, particularly at night, try to leave a good amount of distance between yourself and the person ahead of you. Remember that the closer you are, the more threatening you might seem.

Cross the road

Somebody running up behind you, particularly at night, can be frightening. If you’re out for an evening run, or walk, and see someone walking ahead, cross the road, call out to let them know you’re about to run by them or make sure to leave a good amount of space when you pass them.

Be an active bystander

If you notice someone is uncomfortable with another person's behaviour, show your support by being an active bystander. It can be as simple as standing between a person and their harasser to block their line of sight. Ask that person if they need any help, and back up anyone else who is intervening.

If you or someone else are injured, in immediate danger or you need support right away, call 999 now. If it isn't an emergency, call us on 101 and report what happened or just get some advice.

If you want to report something to us but don't want to talk directly to us, some support organisations can make a report on your behalf such as a third-party reporting centre

They don't have to give us your details, you can ask the organisation not to tell us who you are. We can get more information from you by asking the support organisation to ask you questions on our behalf.

Hate Crime can be reported directly to West Midlands Police ( How to report hate crime | West Midlands Police ) or if they feel more comfortable it can be reported via our third-party reporting. For Walsall this is the Walsall Disability and Carers Hub at 17 Lichfield Street, WS1 1TU, Phone: 01922 616 798.

Also ask those employing staff to please revisit your policies on lone working and check in with all your staff as to how they are feeling.

As women we have a powerful voice and in terms of this network, thanks to women who have already made contact and started to share. Please let us know your thoughts, which we can convey to the Police and other key bodies such as Health or the council.