News and reports

The Midland Metropolitan University Hospital opened on 6 October. On the same day Sandwell Hospital's accident and emergency department closed.

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As winter approaches and viruses spread, flu and COVID-19 pop-up vaccination clinics are being set up to encourage people to get winter strong. The community pop-up clinics are being hosted at a range of locations in Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall and Sandwell, with no appointment necessary. Anyone aged 18 and over who is eligible for an autumn COVID-19 or flu vaccine is encouraged to come forward as soon as possible.

Those eligible for a COVID-19 and flu vaccine include:
• 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

Healthwatch Sandwell collaborated with the NHS Youth Worker Team Manager in Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust to create a report to spotlight a youth worker pilot project for young people with long term conditions. The short funding timelines for the pilot project were highlighted alongside the impacts. The spotlight report called for consideration of extension and time and funding for the pilot project work.

Buses will stop outside the The Midland Metropolitan University Hospital.

A&E (Emergency Department)

From the 6th October, Sandwell A&E is relocating to a new purpose-built A&E at Midland Metropolitan University Hospital to better serve you and the residents of your local area.

Where is the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital A&E?
Grove Lane, Smethwick, B66 2QT

What is a the GP Showcase?

Healthwatch Sandwell are aware the challenges people face regarding getting GP appointments. We would like to capture the other side of GP surgeries, what are surgeries doing to improve the patient experience?

This will help:

• Inform patients about improvements the surgeries are making

• Build relationships with Practice Managers and Patient Participation Groups (PPG)

• Promote PPGs

A self-testing kit, which detects human papillomavirus (HPV), a group of viruses that can lead to cervical cancer, helps women carry out cervical screening in the privacy and convenience of their own homes. HPV home kits are currently available to buy at pharmacies at costs of between £29 to £129 but they’re currently not available on the NHS.

Earlier this year, a trial led by Kings College London to offer women a self-testing kit concluded it could boost the number of women undergoing cervical screening by 400,000 a year.

SANDWELL Metropolitan Borough Council has awarded the new Healthwatch Sandwell contract to existing provider Engaging Communities Solutions Community Interest Company.
This means ECS (Engaging Communities Solutions) will continue to deliver the contract they have held since 2018 and maintain the high level of support offered to local residents throughout the borough.

Three-quarters of women who are hesitant about cervical screening would use a self-testing kit if it was available for free on the NHS.

A poll of 2,444 women highlights that pain, fear, and misconceptions make them hesitant about taking up invitations for cervical screening appointments.

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Join us at our next Independent Strategic Advisory Board meeting. All meeting details can be found below.

Our July Insight Report is now LIVE. Use the link below to take a look at what Healthwatch Sandwell have been doing.