News and reports

On this occasion, the Healthwatch have carried out a project that looks at the experiences of people who were more likely to be digitally excluded than the general population in accessing primary care during the Covid-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions. Unlike the HWE project we did not interview GP practice staff as at the time the project was being undertaken local GP practice staff were taken up with the rollout of the Covid vaccination programme and felt unable to take part.

A copy of our public meeting/ minutes

115,000 people a year die from lung disease in the UK, equivalent to 1 person every 5
minutes, and every day, 1500 people are newly diagnosed with lung disease. Moreover, the
health outcomes for people with lung disease have not improved over the last 10 years to the
same extent as other diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. The mortality rate
(the number of people per 100,000 dying) of people aged under 75 from respiratory disease
in Walsall is 48.1, which is significantly worse than the national rate of 34.2.

2
There were 5040 emergency hospital admissions for respiratory disease in 2018/19 in
Walsall. Hospital admissions due to respiratory conditions are a major factor in the winter
pressures faced by the NHS and lung disease costs the UK more than £11 billion per year
including the impact on the NHS (£9.9bn), and wider economy through working days lost
(£1.2bn).

Do you or a loved one need help with social care? Read the article below and find out answers to key questions about who can access adult social care and how to pay for it.

Waiting for planned medical care or surgery can be a frustrating time. That’s why it’s so important that while you wait, you get regular, clear and accessible updates so that you can plan your next steps.

Your mental wellness is as important as your physical health but seeking help can be daunting. Here's what to expect when you seek support for your mental health.

Healthwatch Walsall Advisory Board (HAB) Meeting held on Friday 6 August 2021 02:15 p.m. Virtual online digital platform Zoom

Do you struggle to speak to your doctor about your medical concerns? You’re not alone. Take a look at our top tips to make the most out of your GP appointment.

Healthwatch continues to gather information locally, through various means, such as surveys, focus groups, one-to-one conversations and questionnaires.

Heart disease remains as one of the major causes of premature death in Walsall.

A report about patient communication with, to and from Walsall Manor Hospital.

Feedback that we received from members of the public about communication at Walsall Manor Hospital, formed the basis of this project. We wanted to take this opportunity to find out about people’s experiences with communication at Walsall
Manor Hospital, assess how patients feel about their experiences, and gather their ideas and concerns so that they can be
represented to key stakeholders.

Healthwatch Walsall Advisory Board (HAB) Meeting held on Monday 19 April 2021 02:15 p.m.
Virtual online digital platform Zoom