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.
Following the completion of our project in 2023 The Maternity Experience of Black and Asian Women in Walsall, we undertook a series of revisits to maternity services to assess how the recommendations from the original work have been taken forward. These revisits also provided an opportunity to observe the continuation of the good practice already in place, and to ensure that women from Black and Asian backgrounds continue to feel supported, respected, and well cared for throughout their maternity journey.
During a general outreach session at Walsall Manor Hospital, we noted a significant queue extending from the phlebotomy department into the main Hospital corridor. Causing access issues to other departments and a potential safety risk. We spoke to two members of Hospital staff who informed us that a large number of unexpected 'walk-in' patients had arrived without appointments, contributing to the congestion. As a result, the department experienced increased pressure, prompting the redeployment of clinical staff and phlebotomists from other Hospital wards to support the service at 002.
We were advised that this is a recurring issue which frequently results in significant delays for patients with pre-booked appointments, including individuals undergoing treatment for cancer. In response to these concerns, we decided to explore this theme further by engaging with patients attending the department. This exploratory work was carried out with the valuable support of three Walsall College students currently undertaking work placements with Healthwatch Walsall.
