News and reports

NHS are keen to hear the views and thoughts of women in the West Midlands on breast screening services. So they can look at how and if current services could either be improved or offered more efficiently to increase awareness and attendance once invited to breast screening.

Healthwatch Walsall work to ensure that health and social care meet the needs of local people. We know that young carers like you play a vital role in supporting your family members or loved ones, but your own needs and experiences can go unheard. This survey is your chance to share your thoughts about the support available to you - whether from schools, healthcare services, or the community. Your feedback will help us highlight what's working well and where improvements are needed.

People in the Black Country are being reminded of the simple actions that they can take to reduce the spread of norovirus.
Norovirus is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be very unpleasant, but symptoms usually go away within a few days.
Symptoms of norovirus start suddenly within one to two days of being infected and can include:
• feeling sick (nausea)
• diarrhoea
• being sick (vomiting)
• a high temperature
• a headache
• aching arms or legs.

The virus can be transmitted easily from person to person and is usually spread through close contact with someone with norovirus, contact with contaminated surfaces or objects or by eating food that’s been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus.
People with norovirus and in need of medical help are being reminded to avoid visiting services in-person, and instead use NHS111 online in the first instance

atients will be able to book more appointments online and request to see their usual doctor under a new contract agreed with England's GPs, the government has said.

The deal gives an extra £889m a year to general practices, as well as a reduction in red tape and targets that ministers hope will mean doctors are freed up to see more patients.

The Labour government made manifesto promises to bring back "family" doctors and end the early morning phone "scramble" for appointments.

As Muslims begin to prepare for Ramadan, the NHS has shared a reminder about how to stay safe and healthy during the holy month.
Ramadan is expected to start on Friday 28 February and end on Sunday 30 March, during which time many Muslims will fast and not eat or drink during daylight hours. Fasting during Ramadan can be challenging, especially for those living with a long-term health condition such as diabetes, those who take prescribed medicines or anyone who needs a medical appointment during the holy month.

The NHS has issued important advice to ensure a healthy and safe Ramadan, including:

• If you have a long-term health condition:
Having a medical condition doesn’t mean people can’t fast, but they may need to take precautions such as reviewing their med cation and closely monitoring how they’re feeling. There is also an exemption for people with diabetes, especially for those on insulin or those with any medical complications. If you have diabetes and want to fast during Ramadan, please speak to your GP or diabetes nurse about the safest way to do this. If you monitor your blood glucose levels, you should continue to do so while fasting.

• If you take prescribed medication:
If you are taking prescribed medicines to control an illness, you should continue taking them during Ramadan to prevent further, serious complications developing. You can check with your GP or pharmacist if the doses need to be adjusted or the times that you take them need to be changed. This will allow you to control your illness while completing a fast safely. Those who are unsure about fasting should always seek advice from their healthcare professional.

• If you have a medical condition:
It is important that people keep all medical appointments where possible in Ramadan. If you feel you are unable to keep your appointment, please contact your GP or hospital to re-schedule your appointment for as soon as possible after the holy month ends.

Several partners working in the Borough including health, and the voluntary sector want to ask women and girls about their health. We want to listen to what matters to you and help to develop solutions.

The survey asks a number of questions which will help to better understand women’s health issues in Walsall.

Expressions of interest should be submitted to Aileen Farrer, Healthwatch Walsall
Email: aileen.farrer@healthwatchwalsall.co.uk

What do you think our priorities should be for 2025/2026? Take part in our listening survey to get YOUR views shared!
To say thank you, we can enter you into a prize draw to win a £20 Amazon voucher!
By sharing your experiences, challenges and ideas, you’ll help us to understand what matters most to our community. Your views on local health and social care services are vital in shaping the improvements we want to see for patients.

Read or download a copy.

Eligible people in the Black Country are being reminded to come forward for the
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine.

RSV is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs which spreads all year round. It often causes symptoms like a cold, such as a runny nose, cough and fever, and usually gets better by itself. However, for infants and older adults the virus can lead to more severe illness and hospitalisation.

Since last September, people aged 75 to 79 have been eligible to come forward for a free vaccine to protect them from RSV. Pregnant women are also offered the vaccine from 28 weeks into their pregnancy to help protect their babies from RSV for the first few months after they’re born.

In the Black Country, almost 19,000 eligible 75–79-year-olds and roughly 4,000 pregnant women have been vaccinated against RSV to date.

The NHS is sending invites to make an appointment from this week to people not yet vaccinated who are aged 75 to 79 or turned 80 after 1 September 2024. Pregnant women over 28 weeks will be offered the vaccine by the maternity service they are receiving antenatal care from.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “In most people, RSV causes a mild illness with cold-like symptoms that usually gets better by itself. However, it is particularly dangerous for the elderly and infants and can cause severe implications in the first few months of a child's life.

“Cases of RSV peak each winter, but it’s important to remember that this is not just a winter illness, and it can occur all year round. Having the vaccine is safe and effective and reduces the risk of severe symptoms.
“Only one dose is needed for long-term protection which is why we’re urging anyone eligible to
come forward and get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

Eligible people in the Black Country are being urged to come forward for a flu vaccination.

The flu can be a serious illness, particularly for those with underlying health conditions, the elderly, and young children.

The flu vaccine helps protect those most at risk from getting the flu. If you do get flu and have been vaccinated, the symptoms are likely to be milder and not last as long. This will reduce your risk of needing to go to hospital with serious flu illness.

People are eligible for a flu vaccination if they are aged 65 or over, pregnant, aged 6 months to 64 years in clinical risk groups, live in a care home for older adults, or are frontline health and social care workers.

A host of pop-up clinics have been set up across the Black Country, offering flu vaccinations for all eligible adults until the end of March, with no appointment necessary. To find your nearest pop-up clinic, visit the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board website.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “The flu vaccine is the safest and most effective way to help protect against flu and is designed to help protect those who are most at risk from developing complications from the virus, helping to minimise hospitalisations.
“It is important to top up your protection, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.

“That’s why we are reminding all eligible individuals that it’s not too late to come forward for the flu vaccine, if they haven’t taken up the offer of getting it already.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said:
“The flu vaccine is the safest and most effective way to help protect against flu and is designed to help protect those who are most at risk from developing complications from the virus, helping to minimise hospitalisations.

“It is important to top up your protection, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu
before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.

“That’s why we are reminding all eligible individuals that it’s not too late to come forward for the flu vaccine, if they haven’t taken up the offer of getting it already “Flu vaccinations are available until the end of March, but it’s best to get vaccinated sooner to protect yourself during winter.”

Take part in our listening survey to get YOUR views shared!

To say thank you, we can enter you into a prize draw to win a £20 Amazon voucher!

By sharing your experiences, challenges and ideas, you’ll help us to understand what matters most to our community. Your views on local health and social care services are vital in shaping the improvements we want to see for patients.