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Advice and Information -
Health issues unfortunately don't leave us alone at the weekend and people are often in need of medical assistance out of hours. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed. -
Advice and Information -
It's so important that you feel supported as a new parent. Read the article below to find out where you can go to get the help you need. -
Advice and Information -
Take a look at our advice article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving. -
Advice and Information -
Find out the signs and symptoms of monkeypox, what to do if you think you have it and who is eligible for a vaccine. -
Advice and Information -
If you are struggling, feel alone or need a little help, then check out our guide on how you can get the support you need. -
Advice and Information -
Confused about Long Covid? Find out the common symptoms and how to get support. -
Advice and Information -
Do you know about your rights to language support in NHS settings? -
Advice and Information -
Are you having trouble finding an NHS funded dentist? Read our tips on what to do if you’re facing problems. -
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. -
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.
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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. -
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. -
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.
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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. -
Report -
Al-Shafa Pharmacy is a dispensing chemist providing a service for local people. -
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. -
Report -
Pharmacy 365 Churchv View is a dispensing chemist providing a service for local people. -
News -
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. -
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. -
News -
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. -
Blog -
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. -
Report -
Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
26th April 2022 Minutes
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Report -
Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
26 April 2022 9.30 – 11.30 am – Virtual Microsoft Teams
Public Board Meeting Agenda
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News -
If you need to book a blood test at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, there is a process in place. To book a blood test call 0121 507 6104 Monday to Friday, between 8am – 4.30pm. Alternatively you can email swbh.phlebotomy@nhs.net to book an appointment. Please include your name, date of birth, contact number and the date you require your blood test and someone will contact you within one working day.
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News -
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. -
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. -
Report -
Championing what matters to you - To make sure people’s experiences help make health and care better. -
News -
Healthwatch Sandwell would like to share their deepest condolences to the Royal Family following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll. -
News -
Today we held our Annual Public Meeting.
If you were unable to join us you can always look through our presentation to keep up to date and see what we talked about during the event. -
News -
‘Patients in waiting’ – experiences of hospital treatment pathways and how to change to ‘patients in preparation’ for treatment.
A report by Healthwatch England (HWE) states that people in deprived areas are waiting longer for treatment2. Based on the average deprivation score Sandwell is ranked as the 12th most deprived local authority in England3. Healthwatch Sandwell (HWS) wanted to build upon the HWE findings to explore what the backlog in NHS treatments means for Sandwell resident patients and consider what might improve the ‘patients in waiting’ experience. -
Advice and Information -
A priority project for 2022/23 is exploring The patient experience of accessing primary care services – this report gives an insight to initial findings. -
News -
Eveappeal are delighted to launch our free, interactive, health-education lesson plans for young people aged 7-13, covering the topics anatomy, menstrual health, HPV and cancer. -
News -
See what the Healthwatch Sandwell Team have been doing in our summer news letter. Why not save the dates from our ‘where we will be section’ and come and talk to us and share your Health and Social Care experiences. -
News -
Healthwatch Sandwell is your independent consumer champion for
health and social care services in Sandwell. -
News -
Throughout the pandemic, Mental Health in young people exacerbated due to minimal socialising with the lock down, not attending education and having to support relatives. -
News -
Flo is a new text messaging service for pregnant women and new parents. It shares useful information throughout your pregnancy and when your child is born. -
News -
Open letter from NHS, charity and community leaders to people with a weakened immune system. -
Advice and Information -
As we progress toward confirming a go-live date for One Health and Care, the new digital shared care record for the Black Country and West Birmingham, we are seeking your support to make local people aware of this new system before launch. -
News -
As we progress toward confirming a go-live date for One Health and Care, the new digital shared care record for the Black Country and West Birmingham, we are seeking your support to make local people aware of this new system before launch. -
News -
Our colleague and Friend John Taylor sadly passed away on the morning of May 25.
John worked hard to raise the profile of Healthwatch, initially as Chair of Healthwatch Walsall before moving across to sit as the Chair of Healthwatch Sandwell in 2019. John was well known and respected for his tremendous work throughout the Black Country and for his great input into the work that Healthwatch England has done. -
News -
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. -
News -
During January and March we engaged with a staggering 948 people, supporting individuals with GP issues, prescription problems, patient care at Sandwell General Hospital, transport concerns and much more. -
News -
Black Country NHS needs your help to develop an all-age autism roadmap that will guide how organisations across the Black Country support autistic children, young people and adults, and their families and carers. -
News -
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospital Trust are inviting Sandwell residents to workshops about the new hospital, Midland Metropolitan University Hospital:
Proposed changes to Day Case Surgery
Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Smethwick is opening in 2023 and in order for us to provide the highest standard of care we need to make some changes now in preparation for the opening of the new hospital. -
News -
Everyone will have 2 vaccines, one now and the 2nd one 8 weeks later. After 3 months you will need a booster vaccine. It is very important now the lockdown has ended and we are returning to normal life. -
News -
Healthwatch Sandwell would like to hear from people in Sandwell to help decide their main priorities for the next 12 months. We are asking for people to complete a short survey about their experiences with local health and social care services. -
News -
Have you been referred by your GP to hospital for an appointment, treatment, or operation? Are you still waiting? If so Healthwatch Sandwell would like to hear from you. -
Report -
Residents of Sandwell regularly express frustrations with accessing GP Surgery
appointments. -
Report -
This report will provide an overview of the services at Asda Pharmacy and will provide
customer experience feedback.