Edward's Trust Supporting bereaved parents, children and young people in the West Midlands
News - 1 November 2024
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.
NHS and social care staff are doing everything they can to keep us well during these challenging times, but there might be things that can be improved for you and your loved ones, both in the area you live in and across the country.
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
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Pop-up vaccination clinics have been set up during February half term to help ensure hildren are up to date with their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab.
All children are invited for their first MMR vaccine on the NHS when they turn one. The second dose is given when they reach three years and four months of age.
Having two doses of the vaccine provides the best protection against MMR and adults and older children can be vaccinated at any age if they have not been fully vaccinated before.
The clinics, which will be running everyday throughout the half term break, are open to all eligible children who are due or have missed a dose. Adults up to the age of 25 are also invited to come forward.
The pop-up clinics are being hosted at a range of locations across the Black Country. This is in
addition to existing pop-up clinics taking place this weekend:
Saturday 3 February:
• Vaccination van located outside Poundland in Walsall Town Centre, Lower Hall Lane, St Matthews Quarter, WS1 1PU, 9am-3pm. To book an appointment call 01922
902035
• Whitmore Reans Family Hub, Wolverhampton, WV1 4AL, 9.30am-2.30pm. To book an appointment call 01902 200077
Saturday 10 February:
• Mary Stevens Park, Stourbridge, DY8 2AA, 10am-3pm. To book an appointment call 01384 431 712
• West Bromwich Central Family Hub, Off Claypit Lane, West Bromwich, B70 9EZ, 9am3pm. To book an appointment call 0121 592 1110
Monday 12 February:
• Tesco, Silver Street, Brownhills, Walsall, WS8 6DZ, 9am-3pm, To book an appointment call 01922 902035
Bilston Market, Pinfold Street, WV14 0DN, 9am-2pm. To book an appointment call
01902 200077
Tuesday 13 February:
• War Memorial, Lye, DY9 8LF, 9am-2pm. To book an appointment call 01384 431 712
• Tesco, Fox Oak Street, Cradley Heath, B64 5DF, 9am-3pm. To book an appointment
call 0121 592 1110
Wednesday 14 February:
• The Square, New Invention, Willenhall, WV12 5EA, 9am-3pm. To book an appointment
call 01902 200077
• Low Hill Family Hub, 26-28 Fourth Avenue, Wolverhampton, WV10 9LZ, 9am3:30pm. To book an appointment call 01902 200077
Thursday 15 February:
• New Square, West Bromwich, B70 7PR, 9am-3pm. To book an appointment call 0121
592 1110
• Blakenall Village Centre, 79 Thames Rd, WS3 1LZ, 9am-3pm. To book an appointment
call 01922 902035
Friday 16 February:
• Dudley Market Place, High Street, DY1 1PQ, 9am-2pm. To book an appointment
call 01384 431 712
Saturday 17 February:
• Walsall Town Centre, Lower Hall Lane, St Matthews Quarter, WS1 1PU, 9am-2pm To
book an appointment call 01922 902035
• Halesowen Town Centre, Somers Square, B63 3AE, 10am-3pm. To book an
appointment call 0121 592 1110
The clinics will be staffed by trained healthcare professionals from the NHS and Vaccination UK who specialise in childhood vaccinations and follow all necessary safety protocols. Children will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the clinics.
Dr Fiona Rose, local GP and Clinical Director for Quality and Safety for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “The half term break provides a great opportunity for eligible
children who are due or have missed a dose, as well as adults up to the age of 25, to get protected against measles.
“Measles is a highly infectious disease which can lead to serious complications such as severe lung infections and inflammation of the brain. It can spread quickly among communities, particularly schools and nurseries, if children have not had two dose the MMR vaccine.
“With cases rising in the West Midlands, it’s never been more important to ensure your child is fully vaccinated with MMR vaccine. It’s safe and effective, and offers the best protection against measles, so please do come forward and pay one of our pop-up clinics a visit.”
In the UK, there are two types of MMR vaccine – MMR VaxPro® and Priorix®. Priorix® does not contain pork gelatine and both vaccines are available at the pop-up clinics.
Those who are unsure if they, or their child, are up to date with all their routine vaccinations can confirm their vaccine status by checking:
- their child’s Red Book (personal child health record)
- the NHS App
- or by contacting their GP practice.
