News and reports

This World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day (Wednesday 20 November), people living in the Black Country who have COPD are being reminded of the importance of having a flu and COVID-19 vaccination this winter.

COPD is the name for a group of lung conditions that causes breathing difficulties in adults, including emphysema (damage to the air sac in the lungs) and chronic bronchitis (long-term inflammation of the airways).

Flu and COVID-19 can put extra strain on your lungs, which can have a significant effect on people with lung conditions such as COPD, making serious illness more likely.

There are more than 26,000 people in the Black Country who are living with COPD, and they are being encouraged to come forward for a flu and COVID-19 vaccine this winter.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “If you have a respiratory illness such as COPD, it’s really important that you look after yourself, especially in the winter when the weather gets colder and respiratory viruses start to circulate.

“It is important to top up your protection against these viruses, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu or COVID-19 before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.

“Getting vaccinated is the best way to stay protected this winter, so I would encourage anyone eligible for a vaccine to come forward as soon as they can.”

As well as people with COPD, those eligible for a COVID-19 and flu vaccine includes:
• all adults aged 65 years and over
• people who live in a care home for older adults
• people aged 6 months to 64 years with health conditions that make them more
vulnerable
• frontline health and social care staff, including in care homes for older adults
pregnant women

Eligible people can book an appointment via the NHS website, 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.

With weather warnings in place and icy conditions outside, the NHS is reminding people to take care in the cold weather.

Slips, trips and falls all become more likely during cold, icy and snowy weather conditions, so it’s important to be mindful of the weather before venturing outside.

There are many steps that can be taken to reduce the chances of falling, including keeping hands free to help stabilise yourself, wearing shoes with good grip and avoiding going out early in the morning when frost is thick or late at night when it’s dark.

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “Falls can happen to anyone, especially when the weather is colder, wetter and there’s ice and snow on the ground. However, older people are even more vulnerable to such accidents.

“If they were to fall there is likely to be a bigger impact on their overall health, whether that be physically through injury or mentally and emotionally through loss of confidence and an increase in anxiety.

“As temperatures drop, streets can be extremely slippery underfoot due to snow and ice, so we would encourage all older people to take extra care when out and about.

“If you do need to go outside, wear shoes or boots with a flat, low heel and a slip-resistant sole to reduce slipping hazards and a good tread that helps to grip the surface. It’s important to keep warm and wear layers, both inside and outside, as when you’re cold you naturally tense up so you don’t move as well as you would normally.

“It’s also important to keep your hands free and wear gloves when walking so you can help stabilise or save yourself from a more significant injury if you were to fall. The more we rush, the more likely we are to fall, so plan ahead to give yourself plenty of time to complete an activity or get to an appointment.

“If you can, always try to let someone know what your plans are and what time you anticipate being home and be sure to have access to a mobile phone where possible so you can call for help if necessary.”

People are also being encouraged to check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be more at risk of a fall. Dr Ananta Dave added: “It’s critical we all do what we can to help each other stay well this cold weather spell.

“If you have elderly family members or friends, simple actions like making a phone call or ensuring they are stocked up on food and any prescription medicines they require takes no time at all but can make all the difference in keeping people safe and well.”

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With weather warnings in place and cold temperatures forecast for this 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 issued last week and due to last until Thursday 21 November, has now been updated to an amber alert and is in effect from today until 6pm on Saturday 23 November.
Prolonged cold weather can have a serious impact on people’s health and wellbeing, especially for young children, people aged 65 and over, and those living with a long-term health condition.

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “With more cold weather predicted over the next few days, 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.”

Ahead of World Diabetes Day (Thursday 14 November), people living in the Black Country who have type 1 or 2 diabetes are being reminded of the importance of having a flu and COVID-19 vaccination this winter.

Having diabetes is a known risk factor for both flu and COVID-19, which means that if you catch either virus, you are likely to be more ill than somebody who has no health conditions.
That is why vaccination is offered free on the NHS for anybody who is living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

There are more 100,000 people in the Black Country who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and
the NHS would like to see as many as possible come forward to get protected against flu and COVID-19 this winter.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said:
“People with diabetes may not be aware that they are entitled to a free flu and COVID-19
vaccination on the NHS, especially if they are younger and their condition is well managed, but we offer it to everybody who has diabetes.

“Diabetes affects the immune system, which means people with the condition are not only more likely to catch these viruses, they are less able to fight them off, putting them at risk of
developing complications.

“The vaccines are safe and effective and are designed to help protect those who are most at risk from these viruses, which circulate during the winter months.

“So, if you’re eligible, I would urge you to take up the offer of both the flu and COVID-19
jabs.”

As well as people with diabetes, those eligible for a COVID-19 and flu vaccine includes:
all adults aged 65 years and over
• people who live in a care home for older adults
• people aged 6 months to 64 years with health conditions that make them more
vulnerable
• frontline health and social care staff, including in care homes for older adults
• pregnant women

Eligible people can book an appointment via the NHS website, 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.

We will present our work projects from 20234/2024. And update the public on our 2024/2025 work projects. This will include our 'Health and Social Care Information and Advice Roadshow'. With many support organisations, offering information and advice around condition and situation-based factors. Light refreshments are available. BOOKING REQUIRED.

This Ask Your Pharmacist Week (4-11 November), people in the Black Country are being reminded to speak to their local pharmacist for any health advice this winter.

Ask Your Pharmacist Week is an annual initiative organised by the National Pharmacy Association, which aims to raise awareness of the full range of services on offer in pharmacies.

This year’s theme is ‘professional and convenient healthcare, from your local pharmacy team’, highlighting the skills and knowledge of community pharmacists and the wider pharmacy team, and their track record of safely delivering clinical services.

At a time when the NHS is preparing for what is expected to be a challenging winter, people are being reminded of this vital line of support that is available in their local pharmacy.

Patients can also 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 (aged 12 years and over)
• Sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
• Earache (aged 1 year to 17 years)
• Infected insect bite (aged 1 year and over)
• Impetigo - a bacterial skin infection (aged 1 year and over)
• Shingles (aged 18 years and over)
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women (women aged 16 years to 64 years).

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.

The NHS has created a video with local pharmacist, Salman Ahmad, talking about the Pharmacy First scheme.

Salman said: “Ask Your Pharmacist Week is a great opportunity for us to highlight the important
role pharmacists play in helping people to stay well, especially as we head into the winter
months.
“As experts in medicine, pharmacists can help you with almost any health concerns you may have, whether that's providing treatment on the spot or signposting you to the right alternative NHS service.

“And, with the new Pharmacy First scheme, community pharmacists can now supply prescription-only medicines where clinically appropriate to help with seven common health conditions which would previously have required a GP appointment.

“It’s vital that people seek medical advice in order to stay safe and well so please don’t wait for minor illnesses to get worse – think pharmacy first and visit your local pharmacy today.”

Bereavement Support in the Black Country. 37 Calthorpe Road Edgbaston, B15 1TS.
Telephone: 0121 454 1705
Registered Charity Number 1105370 website: www.edwardstrust.org.uk

Edward’s Trust is a specialist bereavement charity based in Birmingham, providing counseling and holistic support to families in the West Midlands.

Download the poster for full information.

You and your family can get support for bereavement in the Black Country. Edward’s Trust is a specialist bereavement charity based in Birmingham, providing counselling and holistic support to families in the West Midlands.

Edward’s Trust is a specialist bereavement charity based in Birmingham, providing counselling and holistic support to families in
the West Midlands.

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Parents and carers in the Black Country are being encouraged to get their children vaccinated against flu this winter.

The flu vaccination provides vital protection to prevent children from developing serious illnesses and ending up in hospital during the busy winter months.

Children eligible for a flu vaccine include:
• all children aged two or three years on 31 August 2024
• primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
• secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
• all children in clinical risk groups aged from six months to less than 18 years.

Children aged two and three years, as well as those with long-term health conditions, will be able to get their flu vaccine at their GP practice. School children can get the flu vaccine at school through their school’s vaccination programme.

School aged children, from Reception to Year 11, who haven’t been able to get their flu vaccine at school, can also get their flu vaccine at catch-up clinics that are being hosted across the Black Country. There are a number of clinics being hosted during October half term and throughout November. Please visit the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) website for more information.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country ICB, said: “Children can catch
and spread flu easily, particularly in nursery and school settings.

“The flu vaccine is safe and effective, and most children will receive the vaccine through a nasal spray into each nostril. It is quick and painless and is the best available protection for children against flu. It also helps protect others who are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu, such as babies, anyone who's pregnant and older people.

“With flu season nearly here, now is the time to schedule your child’s vaccination to ensure they are protected as soon as possible. If your child has missed out on their vaccination in school, or you'd rather take them to a clinic, please book an appointment at one of the catch-up clinics being held in the Black Country over the coming weeks.”

Children who cannot have pork gelatine in medical products will be offered an injection instead of the nasal vaccine.