1. Insights January to March 2022

    Report -

    We heard from a person who was concerned as their consultant had requested a referral from the GP for further treatment and this had not been actioned by the GP.

  2. Access to Dentists in Sandwell

    Report -

    A number of patients had contacted Healthwatch Sandwell during the COVID-19 pandemic as they have been unable to register with a National Health dentist. Dentists were not taking on new patients and were not offering routine checks (due to COVID-19 restrictions). However, some patients were able to access a dentist for emergency treatment.

  3. Black Country Children’s Mental Health report 2022

    Report -

    We received 59 survey responses, 27 participants took part in focus groups, and we conducted semi-structured interviews. Participants in the focus group were able to complete the survey as well if they chose to. Survey respondents were asked a series of demographic questions but were free to choose not to answer those questions.

  4. Patient experience of access to Primary Care Service - GP

    Report -

    Residents of Sandwell regularly express frustrations with obtaining G.P. Surgery appointments and there are not enough G.P. appointments available to meet daily demand.

  5. Hospital Treatment Pathways

    Report -

    HWS engaged with Sandwell residents who were ‘patients in waiting’ for hospital treatment to hear about their experiences and any impacts of Covid-19 on their hospital treatment pathways.

  6. Park Lane Pharmacy 2022

    Report -

    This pharmacy operate ‘Pharmacy First’ which means the team can give clinical and practical medical advice or over-the-counter medicines to help safely manage minor health issues such as: sore throats, coughs, colds, tummy troubles, teething problems and aches and pains.

  7. Al-Shafa Pharmacy 2022

    Report -

    Al-Shafa Pharmacy is a dispensing chemist providing a service for local people.

  8. Sidhu Pharmacy 2022

    Report -

    Sidhu Pharmacy
    369 High Street
    West Bromwich
    West Midlands
    B70 9QL
    A visit was planned but the Owner refused the visit – no explanation given.

  9. Pharmacy 365 - Church View 2022

    Report -

    Pharmacy 365 Churchv View is a dispensing chemist providing a service for local people.

  10. Our Work Plan 2022-2023

    Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell will champion the interests of people who use health and social care services and ensure that they have an opportunity to speak out about their concerns and health and social care priorities.

  11. HAB Public Board Meeting Minutes April 2022

    Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
    26th April 2022 Minutes

  12. HAB Public Board Meeting Agenda April 2022

    Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
    26 April 2022 9.30 – 11.30 am – Virtual Microsoft Teams
    Public Board Meeting Agenda

  13. Healthwatch Sandwell July – September Insight Report

    Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell is your independent consumer champion for health and social care services in Sandwell. Our job is to champion the consumer interests of those using the services and give local people an opportunity to speak out about their concerns. We listen to views, concerns, and compliments about services to help shape and improve them so that people are accessing the most quality and appropriate care.

  14. Healthwatch Sandwell Annual Report 2021-22

    Report -

    Championing what matters to you - To make sure people’s experiences help make health and care better.

  15. Young peoples’ experience of accessing GP booking systems

    Report -

    Residents of Sandwell regularly express frustrations with accessing GP Surgery
    appointments.

  16. Asda Pharmacy, Tipton Enter and View 20th September 2022

    Report -

    This report will provide an overview of the services at Asda Pharmacy and will provide
    customer experience feedback.

  17. Case study: a patient’s journey of moving to a care home

    Report -

    At first glance this case study and description of events sound relatively straight forward that
    is, a person with a progressive degenerative neurological disease > receives support at home >
    receives care in hospital > moves to a respite at care home > moves to a more suitable care
    home, however, this person’s experience has highlighted many obstacles within the process
    and has been fraught with difficulties.

  18. Conversations about my GP appointment

    Report -

    We expect effective, high-quality support to manage existing conditions and help us live healthy lives and people with learning disabilities and or autism should expect no less and receive the same service as everyone else. People with a learning disability generally have poorer outcomes in life, experience inequalities in access to healthcare and have significantly lower life expectancy (Care Quality Commission, CQC, 2016).

  19. Annual Health Checks for people with disabilities

    Report -

    NHS GPs in England can be paid to undertake annual health checks for people registered with them who have learning disabilities and meet the eligibility criteria. They must be aged 14 and over and on the practice learning disability health checks register. People with autism without a learning disability are not included.

  20. GP Showcase Norvic Family Practice September 2022

    Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell are aware the challenges people face regarding getting GP appointments, especially during the pandemic. Our report on The Patient Experience of Accessing Primary Care Services will follow shortly.

    We would like to capture what surgeries are doing to improve the patient experience as this will help:

    • Inform patients about improvements the surgeries are making

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

    • Promote PPGs