Latest news and views
The hidden impact of Covid-19 on carers
Working with voluntary community sector organisations who provide support to carers HWS gathered insight on the experiences of being a carer in Sandwell during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Blog
Health Secretary Thérèse Coffey on GPs and cost of living
In her speech to the Conservative Party Conference today, the health secretary repeated much of what she had announced on 22 September in ‘Our Plan for Patients’, with slightly less rigid language over patient access to GPs.
News
National Moment of Reflection, Sunday 18th of September at 8 pm
Today the public have been invited to take part in a National Moment of Reflection to mourn the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and reflect on her life and legacy.
News
Improving access to mental health and well-being service during Covid 19 Pandemic
HWS were hearing from local people about how Covid -19 was affecting their mental health, so decided to conduct a study into access to mental health and well-being services in Sandwell during COVID - 19 pandemic.
News
Winter Newsletter December 2023
Message from Healthwatch Sandwell Manager Alexia Farmer and update from the team!
News
Ideas Made Real
Ideas Made Real is for young people aged 16-24 to turn their social action projects and community ideas into reality. Each successful young person…
News
Health Advisory Board Meeting Jan 2024
Join us at our January Health Advisory Board meeting where we will be talking about our current projects, our future work and team updates.
News
Latest reports and publication
Diabetes In Sandwell March 2024
Healthwatch Sandwell is an independent organisation that champions the voice of Sandwell residents in their health and social care services. Experiences and insight gathered from engaging and listening to people is shared with health and social care providers and commissioners to help inform and improve services.
Successful management of living with diabetes and reducing associated health risks requires patient and health care services to work together. NHS healthcare services have a responsibility to ensure patients are offered diabetes management education, so that they are well informed and able to be involved in managing their condition and decisions about their care, including medications. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance also recommends an individualised approach, is required to meet any patients’ needs and circumstances including dietary advice, culture and beliefs.
Successful management of living with diabetes and reducing associated health risks requires patient and health care services to work together. NHS healthcare services have a responsibility to ensure patients are offered diabetes management education, so that they are well informed and able to be involved in managing their condition and decisions about their care, including medications. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance also recommends an individualised approach, is required to meet any patients’ needs and circumstances including dietary advice, culture and beliefs.
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Enter and View analysis of visits to specific places of support services related to diabetes
This report will provide an overview of the Enter and View visits conducted between April 2023 and March 2024. Diabetes – exploring Sandwell health, care and support services through Patient experiences and voices. The 2023/24 Enter and View programme focused: on Patient’s experiences of support services related to diabetes e.g. diabetes clinics, phlebotomy, retinal screening services (at hospital eye clinics and opticians etc), foot clinics and urology. There were a range of these services (22 venues approx.) A sample of Clinics were visited to ensure that the 6 towns were covered – see appendix 1. Some sites offer a range of these services so some visits were combined.
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