News and reports

More than 440,000 eligible people in the Black Country can now book their life-saving autumn COVID-19 vaccine.

Eligible people can now book their COVID-19 vaccination online via the National Booking System, by downloading the NHS App, or by calling 119 for free. Eligible groups may also be offered a vaccination by their GP surgeries or other local NHS services.

Those eligible include:
• all adults aged 65 and over
• care home residents
• frontline health and social care staff
• those at increased risk because they are pregnant or have a certain underlying health condition
• unpaid carers
• household contacts of those at risk.

The annual flu vaccine is also being made available to these groups, with more than 700,000 people in the Black Country eligible for a free flu vaccine.

This year’s adult COVID-19 and flu vaccination programme has been brought forward on the advice of scientists following the emergence of a new variant (BA.2.86) and ahead of the winter period.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “It is important for those who are eligible to top up their protection, even if they have had a vaccine or been ill with flu or COVID-19 before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.

“The NHS winter flu and COVID-19 vaccination programme provides vital protection to those eligible and their families over winter, keeping people from developing serious illnesses, and helping to minimise hospitalisations during busy winter months.

“So, I strongly encourage all eligible people to book their lifesaving winter vaccines as soon as they can.”

Engaging Communities Solutions (ECS) is an organisation that focuses on involving patients and the public in healthcare research and decision-making processes including the delivery of local Healthwatch. In 2019, ECS became part of a team led by Birmingham University to conduct a research project funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The aim of the project was to evaluate the use of inter-organizational cooperation to bring about improvements in the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK.

As part of the research, ECS carried out a focus group and interviews that contributed the patient and public voice to the project that evaluated the use of inter-organisational co-operation to make improvements in the NHS. Fieldwork was disrupted by the pandemic which meant that the completion of the research was to some extent delayed, but the report has now been published by the NIHR

If you do not have the power to make certain decisions, a lasting power of attorney keeps those decisions with the people you trust.

Start a conversation today.

#YourVoiceYourDecision @OPGGovUK 

People in the Black Country are being urged to think carefully about which health service they should use during this week’s industrial action. Hospital consultants are expected to go on strike for 48 hours from 7am on Tuesday 19 September until 7am on Thursday 21 September. Junior doctors will be on strike for 72 hours from 7am on Wednesday 20 September until 7am on Saturday 23 September.

This means that on Wednesday 20 September, both junior doctors and consultants will be on strike at the same time. All health and care partners in the Black Country are working together to prepare for the industrial action 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.

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “NHS services are currently extremely busy, and we expect them to remain busy and under increased pressure during the strike action taking place this week.

“We are working closely with our health and care partners to ensure those in greatest need continue to have access to high-quality care and support, however, it’s vital that people choose services wisely over this period so that care is available to patients who need it most. “If you need 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. This could include your local pharmacy, GP or a local NHS walk-in centre. 999 and A&E departments should only be used if it is a life-threatening emergency. “We’d like to thank people for their patience and their ongoing support by using NHS services appropriately.” Dr Jonathan Odum, Group Chief Medical Officer for The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “Ahead of the upcoming strike action, we are asking patients to please use NHS services wisely and to only use A&E departments and 999 for life threatening emergencies to ensure care is available to patients who need it most.

“We do expect there to be an impact on some appointments and clinics but ask patients to continue to attend planned appointments unless you hear directly from the NHS to make new arrangements. “We thank the public for their support, and we are also incredibly grateful to all of the health and care staff across the Black Country who are working tirelessly to ensure patients get the right treatment, as quickly as possible, in the right place.”

Eligible adults in the Black Country can now receive the shingles vaccine.

Shingles is an extremely painful condition which can develop after a chicken pox infection. It can occur at any age, but the risk and severity of shingles and its complications increase with age and is higher in individuals who have a severely weakened immune system.

Some cases can result in serious symptoms such as blindness, hearing loss, nerve pain and potentially death, however the shingles vaccine can significantly reduce the risk of people developing shingles and experiencing nasty symptoms. The shingles vaccine was previously offered to adults aged over 70. However, following
recommendation from the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the vaccine will now be offered to those anyone who is severely immunosuppressed and over 50 from 1 September. Those turning 65 and 70 will also be eligible for the vaccine after their birthday. It means thousands more people in the Black Country will be able to get protected against shingles each year.

There are two vaccines that are used in the shingles vaccination programme. Which vaccine you will be given depends on your age and immune status, your GP will advise on this. Both provide effective protection against shingles and once your course is completed, you will not need any more shingles vaccines.

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “Shingles is a virus that can occur at any age, but the risk and severity of shingles and its complications increase with age.

“It can’t be caught from other people, instead it develops in people who have previously been infected with chickenpox over their lifetime. The virus is typically reactivated in older age, or by certain medicines, illness or stress.

“Having the vaccination if you are eligible is really important. It can prevent you from getting shingles or reduce the severity of the symptoms if you do get it. “From 1 September 2023, your GP practice should invite you for the shingles vaccination as you turn 65 or 70, or if you are aged over 50 and have a weakened immune system. If they don’t you can make an appointment yourself by contacting your GP.”

Extended healthcare teams are now supporting patients in GP practices across the Black Country.

With demand on primary care increasing, GP practices are working differently to offer more appointments for their patients. In the Black Country, 609,044 appointments took place in June 2023, which is 43,000 more appointments than in May 2023 and 73,000 more appointments compared to June 2022.

To help manage this demand on services, local GP practice teams now include a range of healthcare professionals who are highly skilled and knowledgeable in the areas they specialise in and can diagnose and treat a variety of health conditions.

The different healthcare professionals that make up extended healthcare team includes:
• General practice nurses and nurse practitioners
• Healthcare assistants
• Physician associates
• GP registrars
• Practice based pharmacists
• Paramedics
• Physiotherapists
• Health and wellbeing coaches
• Social prescribing link workers
• Mental health practitioners.

All appointments are triaged to ensure patients are directed to the right professional. This means when patients contact the practice, a care navigator will ask for a brief outline of the problem. You may be asked questions when you contact the GP, this is so the teams can ensure you see the right professional.

Where appropriate, care navigators will direct patients to another service such as a pharmacy or optician.

Dr Mohit Mandiratta said: “GP practices are working hard to ensure patients can be seen by the right person, at the right time, as quickly as possible. “If your health concern needs to be assessed by a doctor, you will be offered an appointment with your GP. However, your GP isn’t always the right person for you to see. “The new roles now available at practices means people may be offered an appointment with a healthcare professional from the extended healthcare team, who will be able to help based on their individual needs. These are highly skilled and qualified professionals that work alongside GPs, who have specialist skills, knowledge, and experience for certain health conditions. “Not all surgeries will have all of these roles, but your practice reception team will help guide you to the most appropriate care as soon as possible when booking an appointment.”

Sarb Basi, Director of Primary for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “With demand on primary care increasing, it’s important that we do things in a new way to help improve patients’ experience and access to GP services. “Our extended health care teams include a range of highly skilled and qualified professionals, who are experts in their fields, working closely together with GPs to deliver high quality care for
all patients. “By ensuring that patients see the most appropriate professional within the primary care setting, GPs can focus on those patients who most urgently require their care. “GP practices might be working differently, but they are very much open and here to see people if necessary, so please continue to come forward if you need help.”

Children in the Black Country will be offered a free NHS flu vaccine from September.

Flu is caused by the influenza virus; as well as being highly infectious, the virus can cause serious illnesses in children, such as sepsis and pneumonia. Last year, 6,000 children aged five and under in England ended up in hospital because of flu.

The flu vaccine is safe and effective and reduces your child’s chance of needing hospital care for flu by around two thirds. This year, children have been prioritised to get the flu vaccine from 1 September to protect them and help stop the virus spreading to others.

This includes:
• children aged six months to two years with an eligible long-term health condition
• children aged two to five years and not yet at school (children must be aged two years or above on 1 September 2023 to be eligible)
• all primary and secondary school children.

School aged children will be able to get the flu vaccine at school through their school’s vaccination programme. Pupils will receive parental consent forms before vaccinations are scheduled to take place in their school. Children aged two and three years, as well as those with long-term health conditions, will be able to get their flu vaccine at their GP practice.

Dr Fiona Rose, local GP and Clinical Director for Quality and Safety for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “Flu can be an unpleasant illness for children and sometimes causes serious complications. The good news is that vaccination greatly reduces the risk and protects the vaccinated person and those around them.

“Children can catch and spread flu easily so vaccinating them also protects others who are vulnerable such as babies and older people. Most children will receive the vaccine through a nasal spray into each nostril. It is quick and painless and is the best available protection against flu. “The vaccine reduces your chances of getting flu in the first place and also reduces the risks associated with flu. If your child were to get the flu, it's also much milder and they will recover much more quickly.”

If your child is aged between six months and two years and is in a high-risk group for flu, they’ll be offered a flu vaccine injection instead of the nasal spray. This is because the nasal spray is not licensed for children under two years. Children aged two to 17 years may also have the flu vaccine injection if the nasal spray vaccine is not suitable for them.

Extended healthcare teams are now supporting patients in GP practices across the Black Country. 🙌

They include a range of healthcare professionals who are highly skilled and knowledgeable in the areas they specialise in and can diagnose and treat a variety of health conditions.

Watch this short animation to learn about the different roles that make up extended healthcare teams, what they can do and how they can help you.

For more information: https://blackcountry.icb.nhs.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/extended-healthcare-teams-gp-practices

From our current project, we have called Walsall Dentists to see who is registering new NHS dental patients. Attached is a shortlist of the ones we established that are on 25th August 2023. Note this list may change due to registration availability and waiting lists and times.

Ahead of the August bank holiday weekend, people in the Black Country are being reminded how to access NHS health services if they need help.

The NHS often sees increased demand over bank holidays, and with consultants planning strike
action 7am on Thursday 24 August until 7am on Saturday 26 August, health services in the
Black Country are likely to be under significant pressure over the long weekend. All health and care partners in the Black Country are working together to prepare for the industrial action and bank holiday weekend and are asking the public for their support.

Due to the bank holiday (Monday 28 August), some GP surgeries and pharmacies may be closed or working reduced hours. Selected pharmacies will still be available for prescriptions, non-urgent medical advice, and treatment of common ailments. A full list of participating pharmacies, including opening hours, can be found here. Link: https://tinyurl.com/23duv3xn

People who need medical help that isn’t an emergency should contact NHS 111 in the first instance by visiting 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111.

NHS 111 can help direct people to the most appropriate local health service if they aren’t sure where to go – this could include an out of hours GP, a pharmacy, an urgent treatment centre, or a hospital accident & emergency (A&E) department.

Sarb Basi, Director of Primary Care for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “The NHS is expecting an extremely busy weekend over the upcoming bank holiday weekend, with services under significant pressure. That’s why it’s important that people choose services wisely during this time and take simple steps to ensure care is available for patients who need it.

“If you or a loved one needs medical help over the bank holiday weekend then please remember that NHS 111 online is available to help you. It will direct you to the most appropriate health service for your needs. If for any reason you are unable to use 111 online, then please phone 111 from your mobile or landline.

“A number of pharmacies will also remain open over the bank holiday and should be your first port of call for any minor illnesses. 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.
“It is also useful to think about stocking your medicine cabinet up with any essentials in case you need to treat any unexpected minor health concerns at home over the long weekend. You can ask your local pharmacist for advice on any medicines you might need. “Choosing the right service not only means you receive the treatment you require, but also helps reduce pressure on urgent care teams, allowing them to focus on those who need them most.
” A&E departments and 999 are there to treat the most serious and life-threatening conditions.”

Childhood vaccinations video - English

Yes, it will be on Tuesday 17th October from 11.00 am till 2.30 pm.

The meeting venue is Ryecroft Community Hub, 28 New Forest Rd, Walsall WS3 1TR.

This is an opportunity for you the public to meet the team and to find out the work we have been doing and are currently undertaking.

We will present our Annual Report 2022/2023 as well as give an update on our 2023/2024 work projects.

There will be guest speaker(s) and advice and information from support organisations.