News and reports

Shared views on the future of stroke rehabilitation services for Walsall and Wolverhampton patients.

The Trust are currently planning important changes to how stroke rehabilitation is delivered, with a greater focus on personalised care and improved support in the community. Patient feedback will play a vital role in helping us shape a service that meets the needs of patients, carers, staff, and the wider community.

What’s changing?
Stroke rehabilitation services across Walsall and Wolverhampton are set to be transformed to provide patients with more timely and personalised support.
The proposed approach is in line with the NHS 10 Year Plan to deliver more proactive, community-based care and reduce reliance on hospital-based services. While bed-based rehabilitation would still be available for those who need it, this will be for shorter periods, with most patients continuing their recovery at home or in local community settings. The bed-based rehabilitation service is proposed to move from Hollybank House in Walsall to West Park Hospital.

This will allow resources to be reinvested into a more responsive community rehabilitation service in Walsall and Wolverhampton, helping ensure more patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

The new model aligns with the national Integrated Community Stroke Service (ICSS) framework and will be delivered by a skilled multi-disciplinary team including Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Nurses, Psychologists, Social Care, and Speech and Language Therapists.

Key benefits of the new model include:
 Faster access to rehabilitation after hospital discharge
 Personalised care delivered in the most appropriate setting
 Seven-day access to specialist stroke rehabilitation
 Shorter hospital stays where safe and appropriate
 More efficient use of NHS resources, reinvested into community care

Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are changes being considered for stroke rehabilitation services?
These proposals are part of a wider NHS commitment to deliver more personalised, proactive, and community-based care. The aim is to support stroke patients to recover more quickly and fully, by providing specialist rehabilitation in their own homes or local communities.

2. What is the proposed new model of stroke rehabilitation?
The proposed new model focuses on delivering an increased level of rehabilitation support at home or as close to home as possible. Patients would receive care from a seven-day specialist team, helping them regain independence and improve long-term outcomes. Bed-based care would still be available for those that need it, but for shorter periods and only when necessary.

3. What is the Integrated Community Stroke Service (ICSS)?
ICSS is a national model that combines early supported discharge and community stroke rehabilitation into one joined-up service. It is delivered by a multi-disciplinary team of professionals including Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Nurses, Speech and Language Therapists, Psychologists, and Social Care staff.

4. How will this benefit stroke patients?
Key benefits for patients include:
• Faster access to rehabilitation after hospital discharge
• More personalised and coordinated support in familiar settings
• A focus on independence and wellbeing
• Better long-term recovery outcomes

5. Will hospital-based (bed-based) rehabilitation still be available?
Yes. For patients who need it, bed-based rehabilitation will still be available, this will be for shorter periods. Most patients will transition to community-based care sooner – care closer to their homes in the borough of Walsall or Wolverhampton - supporting a quicker return to independence and better long-term outcomes.

6. Where is it proposed that the bed-based care moves from, to?
Bed-based stroke rehabilitation services are proposed to move from Hollybank House in Walsall to West Park Rehabilitation Hospital in Wolverhampton. This proposed move would help redirect resources to enhance community rehabilitation services and ensure bed-based care is provided within a specialist rehabilitation hospital.

7. Why does West Park Rehabilitation Hospital Wolverhampton need to be considered for bed based services currently provided in Walsall?
Hollybank House is no longer fit for purpose and we need to do more to support patients to be cared for in their own homes and communities. This presents the opportunity to look at how stroke services are delivered in Walsall and Wolverhampton with a view to moving to a community based model to improve care quality and make the best use of staff and resources. This approach is in line with the NHS 10 year Plan to help deliver better outcomes by bringing specialist teams and equipment together and moving more services from hospital into community.

8. Will this affect the quality of care?
No, the quality of care will be maintained or improved. Services will be delivered by specialist, multi-disciplinary teams using evidence-based best practices. Patients will have access to expert care 7 days a week, tailored to their individual recovery goals.

9. How does this align with the NHS Long Term Plan?
This transformation supports the NHS 10 Year Plan’s goal of reducing reliance on hospitals and investing more in community-based, proactive care. It also aligns with national standards for stroke rehabilitation.

10. What happens if I or a loved one can’t be supported at home?
If a patient is not ready to return home, they will continue to receive care in an appropriate bed-based rehabilitation setting, with a plan in place to support their eventual return to the community when ready.

11. When will these proposed changes take place?
Implementation would happen in phases, with clear communication to patients, families, and staff at every stage.

12. What would happen to the staff teams at both sites if this proposal goes ahead?
Our workforce is crucial in terms of recruitment, development of roles, relationships and the commitment to work differently. There will be no loss of jobs as a result of these proposed changes, but some staff may need to work differently or be redeployed to another setting in either Walsall or Wolverhampton. We commit to working with staff on the proposed model and will need to invest in additional therapy staff to increase the level of community service provision.

13. Will this change affect families who need to travel to visit loved ones receiving bed-based care?
We recognise that travel and accessibility are important concerns for families, especially those on low incomes. While West Park Rehabilitation Hospital is in Wolverhampton, we are committed to supporting families during this transition. For those who may face financial challenges, we will assess eligibility for travel cost reimbursements through the NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme.

In addition, in some cases four-week bus passes may be available, supported by the Transport for West Midlands Bus Service Improvement Programme, to help ease the cost of regular travel. We will ensure visiting arrangements remain flexible and compassionate, and we will continue to explore further ways to support families throughout this change

To read or download a copy.

Thank you to the members of the public who attended, the Walsall Mayor Louise Harrison and the support and information organisations who shared information or offered support to the Walsall Public.

It was a very interactive meeting with the public asking some very interesting questions and raising some genuine concerns.

Notes from the Annual Public Meeting of questions put to the community to gather their views and opinions on the following:
• The proposed government plans
• Hospital to Community
• Analogue to Digital
• Abolishment of Healthwatch

For the public responses, download the 'APM feedback'.

You can view or download the meeting presentation slides we used on Wednesday, 22nd October 2025.

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

Thousands of extra urgent dental appointments are now available for people living in the Black Country who need urgent dental care.

As part of the government’s rollout of 700,000 additional urgent dental appointments across the country, more than 14,000 appointments have been made available in the Black Country.

These urgent appointments are for people experiencing serious dental problems such as:
• Severe toothache: persistent and intense pain that cannot be managed with over-thecounter painkillers.
• Dental abscess: infection causing swelling, pain, and possibly fever.
• Broken or knocked-out tooth: trauma resulting in a fractured or completely dislodged tooth.
• Uncontrolled bleeding: bleeding in mouth that doesn't stop maybe following a dental
procedure or an injury.
• Swelling: significant swelling in the mouth or face that could indicate an infection.
• Fractured, loose or displaced fillings causing pain.
• Bleeding gums requiring urgent treatment for acute conditions.
• Other treatments may be available at the discretion of the dentist. These treatments may
require extra visits and costs.
People who need an urgent dental appointment should visit NHS 111 online or call 111.
Do not contact your GP practice, as they will not be able to offer emergency or out-of-hours dental
care.

Sarb Basi, Director of Primary, Black Country ICB said: “We know how important it is for local people to be able to access urgent dental care when they need it. That’s why we’re pleased to make thousands of extra appointments available across the Black Country. These slots are specifically for urgent dental problems, and you don’t need to be registered with an NHS dentist.

At the same time, we’re continuing to work on improving access to routine NHS dental care and supporting the dental workforce, so that people across the region can get the right care when they need it.”

To read or download a copy.

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

To read or download a copy.

We will present our Annual Public Report 2024/2025.

There will be a special presentation around 'Neighbourhood Hubs'. What are they? You ask. Then join us on the day and find out!

There will be support organisations available for you to access support or valuable information, and advice.

Eligible people living in Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull are being invited to come forward for a flu and COVID-19 vaccine.

The vaccination programmes started on 1 September, when flu vaccines became available for young children (aged 2 and 3), pregnant women, school-aged children.

From 1 October, the COVID-19 and flu vaccination programme will extend to adults aged 65 and 0ver, people in clinical risk groups, carers, frontline health and social care staff, and those living in care homes.
Local health leaders are working to increase uptake following a national decline in vaccination rates. Both ICBs are working closely with GPs, community pharmacies, schools, local authorities, and voluntary organisations to make vaccinations as accessible as possible. Where possible, people will be offered both vaccines at the same time for convenience and maximum protection ahead of winter.

Helen Kelly, Chief Nurse for Birmingham and Solihull ICB, said: “Vaccines remain our best protection against flu, COVID-19 and other seasonal illnesses. We know uptake has fallen in recent years, but this makes it even more important that those eligible take up the offer this autumn. By getting vaccinated in September or October, you’ll be protecting yourself and those around you through the winter months.”
Dr Sally Roberts, Chief Nurse for the Black Country ICB, added: “Flu and COVID-19 are still serious illnesses that can lead to hospitalisation, especially for older people, those with long-term conditions, and pregnant women. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to get protected, whether that’s at their GP, a pharmacy, a school clinic, or a specially arranged community session.”

Alongside flu and COVID, eligible patients can also get their Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination at their local GP practice or at participating pharmacies, across Birmingham and the Black Country. This immunisation is available for those aged 75 to 79 or pregnant women over 28 weeks.

Pneumococcal vaccines are also available for anyone aged 65 and over via GP practices.

Those eligible for COVID and flu immunisations are able to book an appointment via the National
Booking System. Appointments are also be available on the NHS App or by calling 119. Calls to 119 are free from mobiles and landlines and the booking service provides support in 200 different languages.
Those who have difficulties communicating or hearing, or are a BSL user can use textphone 18001
or the NHS 119 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service.

Both ICBs are encouraging local people to take up their invite as soon as they receive it.

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

Ahead of the summer bank holiday (Monday 25 August), people in the Black Country are being reminded how to access NHS health services.

Due to the bank holiday some services such as GP surgeries and pharmacies may be closed or working on a reduced service. Selected pharmacies will still be available for prescriptions, nonurgent medical advice, and treatment of common ailments.

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, a local NHS walk-in centre, or a hospital accident & emergency (A&E) department.

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “We know that sometimes people can feel unsure about where to go for help if they become unwell over a bank holiday weekend.

“A number of pharmacies will remain open over the bank holiday weekend and should be your first port of call for any minor health concerns. Pharmacists are able to offer clinical advice and can now supply medicines for a number of conditions, without the need for a GP appointment or prescription.

“If you need urgent medical help over the long weekend, contact NHS 111 in the first instance and they will direct you to the most appropriate service for advice or treatment.

“While we hope that everyone enjoys the long weekend, if you’re feeling unwell it’s vital that you seek appropriate help. The NHS continues to be here for you so please don’t hesitate to come forward.”

A&E departments and 999 are there to treat the most serious and life-threatening conditions. If you are feeling unwell and it is not an emergency, contact NHS 111.