News and reports

People in the Black Country are being reminded that they have two weeks left to take up the offer
of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Friday 20 December marked the last day that COVID-19 vaccine appointments could be booked via the National Booking System, following guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

However, walk-in vaccines remain available at a host of community pop-up clinics in the Black
Country until the end of January. This is the last opportunity for eligible people to receive a
COVID-19 vaccination.

People are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine 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 a frontline health and social care worker.

Walk-in COVID-19 vaccines are available at the following locations over the next two weeks:
Wolverhampton
• Sainsburys, Bentley Bridge, WV11 1UP
o Thursday 23 January, 11am-6pm
• Wolverhampton City Centre, Queens Square, WV1
o Friday 24 January, 9am-3pm
• Sainsburys, Raglan Street, WV3 0ST
o Thursday 30 January, 9am-3pm
Dudley
• Dudley Market Place, High Street, DY1 1PQ
o Friday 17 January, 9am-2pm
o Friday 31 January, 9am-2pm
• Asda, Pearson Street, Brierley Hill, DY5 3

Walsall
• Tesco, Silver Street, Brownhills, WS8 6DZ
o Tuesday 21 January, 9am-3pm
• Willenhall Market, Market Place, Willenhall, WV13 2AA
o Wednesday 29 January, 9am-3pm
Sandwell
• Asda, Wednesbury Oak Road, Tipton, DY4 0BP
o Monday 20 January, 9am-3pm
• Wednesbury Town Centre (near Clock Tower)
o Wednesday 22 January, 9am-3pm
• Tesco, Fox Oak Street, Cradley Heath, B64 5DF
o Tuesday 28 January, 9am-3pm
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “The COVID-19 vaccination programme started in October and since then more than 134,000 people in the Black Country have come forward for a vaccine to get protected.

“Now, with just two weeks left before the COVID-19 vaccination offer closes, we want to encourage everyone who is eligible and yet to receive a vaccine, to come forward before it’s too late.

“COVID-19 hasn’t gone away but your protection from previous vaccinations wanes over time, so it’s still important to get your jab if you are eligible. So, please visit our pop-up clinics over the next few weeks.”

Flu vaccinations are also available at the pop-up clinics for those eligible and will remain available until the end of March

Read or download our Walsall Manor Hospital Discharge report.

With flu cases rising in the Black Country, eligible people are being urged to come
forward for a flu vaccination.

This year’s winter vaccination programme is focused on protecting those most vulnerable to flu. This includes older adults, and people with certain underlying health conditions such as heart or respiratory disease, or a weakened immune system, as they are at greater risk of illness from the virus.

Since the roll out of the vaccination programme in October, more than 300,000 people have
received a flu vaccination, however that’s just under half of those eligible. With latest data
showing 826 people in hospital with flu in the first week of January in the Black Country, eligible people are being urged to come forward for a flu vaccine.

A host of pop-up clinics have been set up across the Black Country, offering both flu and COVID-19 vaccinations for all eligible adults throughout January, with no appointment necessary.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country ICB, said: “During the winter
months, we spend more time indoors or in crowded spaces, so viruses spread at a much
quicker rate. If you are elderly, pregnant or have certain health conditions, flu can be very
dangerous and even life-threatening.

“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 asking all eligible individuals to get their flu jab as soon as possible, 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.

Julian Hobbs, Medical Director at The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are seeing a high number of patients in our Black Country hospitals with flu and respiratory conditions, especially people who are elderly or vulnerable, and children.

“I would encourage people who have been invited to have their flu vaccination to take up the offer, to help give the best possible protection. The public can also play their part by using the most appropriate services for their needs over the coming weeks.

“By taking simple steps like using pharmacies for minor ailments, getting vaccinated against respiratory illnesses such as flu and COVID-19 if you’re eligible, and using NHS 111 for advice, you can help us ensure that our A&E departments are there for those who need urgent and emergency care the most.”

We have made available a download (see below) of the feedback you gave us from the listening exercise we held at our Annual Public Meeting.

Read or download a copy.

A brief outline of some of the issues and themes patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during December 2024.

Also, things that you can get involved with!

A brief outline of some of the issues and themes patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during November 2024.

Also, things that you can get involved with!

A brief outline of some of the issues and themes patients have faced when accessing Walsall Services during October 2024.

Also, things that you can get involved with!

The NHS in the Black Country is asking local people to think which service they need this winter to help ease pressures.

With the onset of colder temperatures, there is typically an increase in health issues such as respiratory conditions, colds, flu, and injuries from slips and falls. This surge, combined with existing winter pressures on hospital services, means that more people are likely to need urgent care.

To ensure that emergency departments are available for those who need them most, local people are being reminded to choose the appropriate NHS service for their need.

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.

People are also being reminded of the vital line of support that is available in their local
pharmacy. Patients can now get treatment for seven common conditions directly from their local
pharmacy, without the need to visit a GP.

The Pharmacy First service enables pharmacists to offer advice to patients and supply NHS medicines (including antibiotics), where clinically appropriate, for sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bite, impetigo, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women.

If you have symptoms that suggest you may have one of these conditions, you can walk into a pharmacy and be offered a consultation with the pharmacist. Should the pharmacy team be unable to help, you will be directed to your GP surgery or A&E as appropriate.

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “January is a challenging time for the NHS, with many people seeking help for seasonal illnesses, minor injuries and other health concerns.

“The cold and icy weather conditions forecast for the next few days also pose additional risks for
individuals with long-term health conditions as well as those who are more vulnerable to the cold such as the elderly and young children, increasing demand for services.

“The NHS is asking local people to think which service they may need and to use the most appropriate services for their needs over the coming weeks.

“By taking simple steps like using pharmacies for minor ailments, getting vaccinated against respiratory illnesses such as flu and COVID-19 if you’re eligible, and using NHS 111 for advice, you can help us ensure that our A&E departments are there for those who need urgent and emergency care the most.”
A&E and 999 should only be used for serious and life-threatening conditions.

Are you a Walsall Young Carer aged between 8 to 19 years of age?

We would like to know what support you get and what you need?

Tel: 0800 470 1660 or Email: info@healthwatchwalsall.co.uk

With cases of seasonal illnesses such as flu and COVID-19 rising in the community, eligible people in the Black Country are being encouraged to come forward and get vaccinated.

Both the COVID-19 and flu vaccines can provide important protection to those eligible and their families over winter, helping to prevent serious illness and minimise hospitalisations during the busy winter months.

People are eligible for a COVID-19 and 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 worker.

A host of pop-up clinics have been set up across the Black Country, offering both flu and
COVID-19 vaccinations for all eligible adults throughout January.

Walk in vaccines are available at the following locations over the next few weeks:

Walsall
• Tesco, Silver Street, Brownhills, WS8 6DZ
o Tuesday 7 January, 9am-3pm
o Tuesday 21 January, 9am-3pm
• Willenhall Market, Market Place, Willenhall, WV13 2AA
o Wednesday 15 January, 9am-3pm
o Wednesday 29 January, 9am-3pm

Wolverhampton
• Sainsburys, Bentley Bridge, WV11 1UP
o Thursday 9 January, 11am-6pm
o Thursday 23 January, 11am-6pm
• Wolverhampton City Centre, Queens Square, WV1
o Friday 10 January, 9am-3pm
o Friday 24 January, 9am-3pm
• Sainsburys, Raglan Street, WV3 0ST
o Thursday 16 January, 9am-3pm
o Thursday 30 January, 9am-3pm

Dudley
• Dudley Market Place, High Street, DY1 1PQ
o Friday 17 January, 9am-2pm
o Friday 31 January, 9am-2pm

• Asda, Pearson Street, Brierley Hill, DY5 3BJ
o Monday 13 January, 10am-4pm
o Monday 27 January, 10am-4pm


Sandwell
• Wednesbury Town Centre (near Clock Tower)
o Wednesday 8 January, 9am-3pm
o Wednesday 22 January, 9am-3pm
• Tesco, Fox Oak Street, Cradley Heath, B64 5DF
o Tuesday 14 January, 9am-3pm
o Tuesday 28 January, 9am-3pm
• Asda, Wednesbury Oak Road, Tipton, DY4 0BP, Monday 20 January, 9am-3pm

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “During winter, respiratory viruses such as COVID-19 and flu spread more easily as people spend more time indoors.
“With these viruses circulating in our communities, it’s vital that everyone prepares for potential
winter illnesses, especially for those who are at higher risk, such as the elderly, young children,
and those with long-term health conditions.

“Our pop-up clinics are a great way for those eligible for a flu or COVID-19 vaccine to get vaccinated at a time and location that suits them, with no appointment necessary.

“So, if you’re yet to come forward for a vaccine, please pay us a visit at your nearest pop-up this January.”
In addition to the pop-up clinics, flu vaccinations are available at a range of community pharmacies in the Black Country.

With weather warnings in place and cold temperatures forecast over the next week, people in the Black Country are being reminded to look out for those vulnerable to the cold weather.

The yellow cold weather alert, which was in place from yesterday (Wednesday 1 January) and due to last until Saturday 4 January, has now been updated to an amber alert and is in effect from today until 12pm on Wednesday 8 January.

People are encouraged to take extra precautions to keep safe while the alerts are in place, such as checking on vulnerable friends and neighbours, keeping food and medications in stock and ensuring homes are adequately heated.

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “With more cold weather predicted over the next week, it’s important that everyone stays warm and continues to look out for those more vulnerable to the cold conditions.

“Cold weather can seriously affect your health, particularly for the elderly and very young children. As well as physical injuries from the increase in slips and falls due to the icy conditions, the drop in temperature can also affect your immune system. That’s why it’s also important that those with long-term conditions, such as heart disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and diabetes, take care of themselves in the cold weather as it can make some health problems worse.

“Stay as warm as possible by heating your home, or the rooms you’re using, to 18 Celsius if possible, and wear multiple thin layers of clothing. Having regular hot drinks and meals will also help, and if you are at higher risk of cold-related illness or falls, avoid exposing yourself to the cold outdoor conditions. Make sure you have sufficient food and any repeat medication so that you can cope if you’re unable to leave the house.

“During this period, it is really important to check in on family members, friends and relatives who may need additional support. Prolonged periods of cold weather can often mean that some people feel isolated in their home. They may need help with food shopping or picking up a prescription, or they may just need a chat and to see a friendly face.”