News and reports

People in the Black Country are being urged to come forward for care as usual during collective action by GP services which starts today (Thursday 1 August).

GP services across England will begin collective action on Thursday 1 August for an indefinite period of time. While there may be some disruption to services, practices will remain open and patients can make requests by phone, online or by walking in as usual.

During collective action, practices are still required to be open between 8am and 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.

It is vital that patients still attend their appointments unless they are told otherwise, and practices should inform patients of any changes to services.

The nature of the action means that the impacts will vary at different GP practices, and from area to area, but could include GPs limiting the number of patient appointments per day.

NHS teams in the Black Country have worked hard to plan for disruption and to mitigate this where possible to ensure services continue to be provided for patients.

Patients should continue to use 111 for urgent medical help when their GP practice is unavailable and if it is a serious or life-threatening emergency call 999.

Dr Mona Sidhu, Medical Director of Primary Care for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “During the collective action, our priority is to continue to provide safe care for those who need it. Patients should continue to come forward for care, as GP practices will remain open.

“Choosing the right service during this time is important. It not only means you receive the treatment you require, but also helps reduce pressure on NHS services during this busy time and allows them to focus on who needs them the most.

“Your local pharmacist should also be your first port of call for any minor health conditions. Pharmacists are trained medical professionals who can help with a range of ailments, from abdominal pain and sore throats to coughs and colds and urine infections.

“If you need urgent medical help or advice, you should contact NHS 111 online in the first
instance and they will direct you to the most appropriate service for advice or treatment. If you
call NHS111, lines may be busier than normal so please be patient.”

Local pharmacy services and opening times in the Black Country can be found on the NHS
website.

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.

People should only call 999 if it is a medical emergency.

The NHS has issued important guidance as temperatures climb this week.

The Met Office, in conjunction with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has issued a yellow heat alert as temperatures are set to rise this week, with people advised to take extra care in the hot weather.

Over the next few days temperatures across the Black Country could reach up to 27 degrees Celsius, with the yellow alert in place from today (Monday 29 July) until Friday 2 August.

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “While many people will enjoy the increase in temperature, spells of hot weather can cause some people to become unwell through overheating, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Older people, those with underlying health conditions, and babies and young children are more likely to be unwell from hot weather because their bodies are less able to regulate temperature.

“To stay safe in the heat, be sure to drink plenty of cold drinks, take cool baths or showers and wear light coloured and loose clothing. Try to stay out of the sun between 11am-3pm and avoid alcohol and exercise as this will prevent dehydration.

“If someone has heat exhaustion, move them to a cool place and get them to lie down with their feet raised slightly. Ensure they drink plenty of water and cool their skin with cold water and fan them. They should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.

“If you have friends, family, or neighbours who you know are more vulnerable to the effects of hot weather, it is important you check in on them and ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary health advice.

“By taking these precautions, you can enjoy the nice weather and importantly, stay safe.”

If you, or others, start to feel unwell, move out of the heat immediately and drink some water to
rehydrate. If you feel dizzy, weak, or have a headache and intense thirst, visit NHS 111 online
or call 111 for more advice.

Packed full of our work, our past and forthcoming events, and useful patient and public information from our partners.

After the worldwide IT problems recently. We have been told that GP websites are now back to normal. So please visit and use these websites.

As the end of the school term approaches, parents and carers in the Black Country are being reminded of the importance of managing their child’s asthma over the summer.

Asthma is a lung condition that affects around one in every 11 children and causes symptoms like coughing, wheezing and breathlessness.

It varies from one child to the next, but most types of asthma can be managed well by using a preventer inhaler every day to control their asthma. A reliever (blue) inhaler may be needed occasionally if symptoms flare up.

Engaging Communities Solutions CIC (ECS) are the providers of local Healthwatch in Bedford Borough, Halton, Sandwell, Stoke-on-Trent, Telford and Wrekin, Walsall and Warrington. We are carrying out a survey across all seven areas about people's knowledge and experiences of Pharmacy First services that were launched in 2024.

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Download and read what we have been doing and achieved over the last year.

People in the Black Country are being urged to think carefully about which health service they should use during the upcoming industrial action.

Junior doctors are planning to strike for five consecutive days, starting from 7am on Thursday 27 June to 7am on Tuesday 2 July.

All health and care partners in the Black Country are working together to prepare for the industrial action, 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.