News and reports

An NHS double-decker bus is touring the Black Country this week (Monday 7 April – Friday 11 April) to help raises awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and the importance of early detection.

Organised by the local NHS in partnership with the four local authorities in the Black Country, the cancer bus tour is an opportunity for local people to meet and talk with a range of clinicians about how to check for symptoms of cancer, the support services available and what to do if they’re concerned.

Information about the three main NHS cancer screening programmes - breast, bowel and cervical - will be available, including what ages people will be invited, what’s involved in the screening and what the results will tell us.

Free health checks will also be available, such as blood pressure and blood sugar tests.

The bus will be at a range of locations throughout the week, including:
• Monday 7 April, the Fountain, Dudley High Street, 10am-4pm
• Tuesday 8 April, Park Street, Walsall Town Centre, 10am-4pm
• Wednesday 9 April, Oldbury Council House, Sandwell, 10am-4pm
• Thursday 10 April, Queen Square, Wolverhampton City Centre, 10am-4pm
• Friday 11 April, Windmill Shopping Centre, Smethwick, 10am-4pm

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “We know that early cancer diagnosis saves lives, and this bus tour is all about bringing vital information and support directly to the heart of our communities in the Black Country.

“By making it easier for people to talk to clinicians, ask any questions they may have and learn more about cancer symptoms, we hope to break down barriers and encourage more people to take action if something doesn’t feel right.

“Whether it’s a quick health check or finding out more about screening programmes in the Black Country, the bus is here to help, so we’d encourage everyone to stop by this week if they can.”

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

People in the Black Country are being reminded to order any repeat prescriptions they may need ahead of the Easter bank holiday.

GP practices and pharmacies will have limited opening hours over the Easter period, and many will be closed from Friday 18 April to Monday 21 April, making it more challenging for patients to access medicines at short notice.

Every bank holiday, NHS 111 sees an increase in people getting in touch about repeat prescriptions. Waiting and using emergency or urgent services over the Easter break puts added pressure on already busy services.

To avoid this and to ensure health is not put at any unnecessary risk, people are being asked to submit any repeat prescriptions that are due for renewal by Monday 7 April to make sure there is enough time for them to be processed and dispensed.

Dr Mona Sidhu, Medical Director of Primary Care for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “If you take any prescribed medication on a regular basis, it’s important to plan ahead and order your repeat prescription in plenty of time to make sure you don’t run out over the Easter bank holiday weekend.

“By checking your medication now, you can save yourself the worry of possibly not getting what you need on time and being caught short over the bank holiday when your GP practice will be closed.

“The easiest way to order repeat prescriptions is via the NHS App or through your GP practice website. If you do not have access to GP online services, you can phone your GP practice to order prescriptions.”

Most repeat medication requests can be made online, via local practice websites or through the NHS App. People who do not use the internet can approach their practice to access their prescriptions.

If people feel unwell over the bank holiday weekend, but it’s not life threatening, they can check their symptoms and access advice by using the NHS 111 service online or by calling NHS 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.

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As part of our 2024/2025 work projects, we have now released the public report.

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As part of our 2024/2025 work projects, we have now released the public report.

Women across the Black Country can now get their supply of oral contraception at a local pharmacy, without the need to see a GP.

More than 200 pharmacies in the Black Country are participating in this new service, aiming to increase choice for women in the ways in which they can access contraception.

Oral contraception, known as ‘the pill’, can now be accessed at a pharmacy without a referral from a GP. Women can also be referred to their pharmacy by their GP practice or a sexual health clinic.

The pharmacist will offer a confidential consultation and will offer the first supply of the pill, or the ongoing supply of their current oral contraception. This is an NHS service, so the supply of oral contraception will be exempt from any prescription charges.

Sukhy Somal, Head of Community Pharmacy Clinical Services for the NHS Black Country
Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “This new service is another great milestone in showing how much of an important role community pharmacists are improving wider access to healthcare services.

“This is a safe and confidential service for women across the Black Country and allows general practice and sexual health services to free up appointments for more complex assessments.

“Women will still receive their yearly pill check-up, like they would with their GP, which they will have when requesting their next supply of contraception. It is still encouraged to seek medical advice from a pharmacist or doctor if any unusual side effects continue after three months.”

Individuals do not need to be registered with a GP to access this service. Pharmacies will only inform the GP practice that individuals have accessed the service, with their consent.

Business cards are being rolled out for patients across the Black Country enabling pharmacists to write down the date of the next supply of contraception and the name of the pharmacy.

Contraception is free and confidential, including for young people under the age of 16. The doctor or nurse will not tell anyone, including parents or carer, unless they think you or someone else is at risk of harm.

Eligible people in the Black Country are being reminded they only have a few days left to take up the offer of a flu vaccine before the offer ends on Monday 31 March.

The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu, including those:
• aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2025)
• who have certain long-term health conditions
• are pregnant
• who live in a care home
• who are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
• who live with someone who has a weakened immune system.

Eligible people can get a flu vaccine a range of community pharmacies in the Black Country, with no appointment necessary. To find a pharmacy near you visit the NHS website.

A number of community pop-up clinics in Walsall and Dudley are available until Monday, offering vaccines on a walk-in basis:

Walsall
• Willenhall Market, Market Place, Willenhall, WV13 2AA, Wednesday 26 March 2025,
9am-3pm
Dudley
• Dudley Market Place, High Street, DY1 1PQ, Friday 28 March 2025, 9am-2pm
• Asda, Pearson Street, Brierley Hill, DY5 3BJ, Monday 31 March 2025, 10am-4pm

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “There are only a few days left to get your flu vaccine before the offer ends on Monday 31 March.

“The flu vaccine provides the best protection against serious illness and hospitalisation.
“If you haven’t had yours yet, there’s still time to come forward and get protected.”

Following communication from HealthWatch England (HWE), local HealthWatch (HW) were encouraged to submit the following questions to their local ICB. HWW duly submitted the questions which had been tailored for the Black Country. The questions were submitted under a Freddom Of Information request which the ICB duly responded to and gave permission for their responses to be made public via our website. The ICB responses are shown in blue.

The Black Country LMNS (Local Maternity and Neonatal System) are currently working to improve the Pelvic Health Care that you receive from the NHS during and after pregnancy. Pelvic health problems may include leaking of urine (pee) and/or stool (poo), prolapse (bulging or swelling), injuries and infection in the area between the vagina and anus, pelvic girdle pain (pain in the pelvic area and/or back) and abdominal rectus diastasis (tummy muscle separation).