1. News -

    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.
  2. Report -

    We have published several reports throughout the year capturing patients’ issues and concerns.
  3. Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell has continued to be a key partner for NHS Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG over the past year.
  4. Report -

    A large part of Healthwatch Sandwell’s role is to represent the patient voice and work in partnership with health and social care commissioners and providers.
  5. Report -

    The work that Healthwatch Sandwell has undertaken over the last year was driven by the determination to make a difference and this report highlights where we have achieved this. For example:
  6. Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell often hears from patients saying that it is very difficult to get an appointment at a GP Surgery.
  7. Report -

    During the period January to March 2021, Healthwatch Sandwell has collated patient experiences. These are sourced from: phone contact with residents/patients, focus groups we facilitate, focus groups we attend, local online forums and service user groups. In addition, we have received service user experiences/feedback via our web-based ‘Feedback Centre’ and since its inception in July 2019 we have received over 274 experiences/comments shared across NHS and Social Care Services.
  8. Report -

    Throughout the year a total of 9 Youth Healthwatch volunteers have been recruited and attending regular meetings.
  9. Report -

    During the period April to June 2021, Healthwatch Sandwell has collated patient experiences. These are sourced from phone contact with residents/patients, focus groups we facilitate, focus groups we attend, local online forums, and service user groups and service user experiences/feedback via our web-based ‘Feedback Centre’.
  10. Report -

    Our Healthwatch activities involve signposting the public to relevant support agencies to assist them with their concerns.
  11. 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.
  12. Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board (HAB) Meeting held on Thursday 18 July 2019, 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.
    Central Avenue, Tipton, Sandwell
  13. Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board (HAB) Public Meeting. Held on Wednesday 11 September 2019 2.30 p.m. – 4.30 p.m.
    Central Avenue, Tipton, Sandwell
  14. Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board (HAB) Public Meeting.
    Held on Thursday 7th November 2019 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.
    Central Avenue, Tipton, Sandwell
  15. Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board (HAB) Public Meeting

    Held on Thursday 9th January 2020 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.
    Central Avenue, Tipton, Sandwell

  16. Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board (HAB) Public Meeting.

    Held on Tuesday 10th March 2020 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.
    Central Avenue, Tipton, Sandwell
  17. Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
    Day 12 October 2020 – Virtual Meeting MS Teams
  18. Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
    Microsoft Teams Virtual Meeting 12th October 2020
  19. Advice and Information -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
    Decision making Policy (DMP) – Escalation report
  20. Advice and Information -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
    Decision Making Policy (DMP) – Breach report
  21. Advice and Information -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
    27 January 2021 – Virtual Microsoft Teams
    Public Board Meeting Agenda
  22. Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
    Microsoft Teams Virtual Meeting 27th January 2021
  23. Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
    4 May 2021 2021
    Public Board Meeting Agenda
  24. Report -

    Minutes of Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
    4 May 2021, 2021
  25. Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
    26th April 2022 Minutes
  26. Report -

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

    Championing what matters to you - To make sure people’s experiences help make health and care better.
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. 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.
  31. 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.
  32. News -

    Do you want to contribute to maintaining the standards of excellence in local health and social care? Apply to become a Healthwatch Sandwell Health Advisory Board Member.
  33. Report -

    Information for our Health Advisory Board Meeting to be held 4th July 2023.
  34. News -

    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 will receive an award of up to £8,000 and expert support from United By 2022’s youth team to bring their project to life. Whether it's addressing homelessness, promoting mental health awareness, or improving their surroundings, Ideas Made Real is designed by young people, for young people. Ideas Made Real is part of our GEN22 programme and last year’s projects won a national award.

    To celebrate the West Midlands turning 50 this year, Ideas Made Real will hand the reins over to young people to create lasting impacts in their neighbourhood, their community and their home. If you have ever felt that no-one is doing anything about an issue that you care about, then this is for you. Previous participants say that Ideas Made Real made them feel confident and connected, and proud they made a difference for a community important to them, or in the place they call home.
  35. Report -

    Here are our January Insights from the Healthwatch Sandwell Team!

    Click the link below to see what we have been doing.
  36. Advice and Information -

    Take a look at our advice article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving.
  37. Advice and Information -

    Waiting for planned medical care or surgery can be a frustrating time. That’s why it’s so important that while you wait, you get regular, clear and accessible updates so that you can plan your next steps.
  38. Advice and Information -

    Confused about Long Covid? Find out the common symptoms and how to get support.
  39. Report -

    In total HWS engaged with 68 people, the findings from both surveys have been amalgamated for this report
  40. Report -

    From April 2020 to June 2020 HWS undertook a focused piece of work to establish the overall picture of the GP services on offer in Sandwell in the early phases of Covid-19 and the patients experiences of the GP services.
  41. Report -

    The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every walk of life. HWS had spoken to many of adults (aged 18+) who have had their support services disrupted or paused during the pandemic.
  42. Report -

    A priority that was identified is mental health and well-being services. A survey conducted by HWS in February 2020 found that 60 % of respondents indicated that accessing and the quality of mental health and well-being services were a priority area for them.
  43. Report -

    The Healthwatch Sandwell report “The hidden impact of Covid-19 on carers” reflects the experiences of being a carer in Sandwell during the Covid-19 pandemic and highlights the hidden impacts on carers health and wellbeing 18 months on from the outbreak of the pandemic.
  44. Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell is your local health and social care champion. We make sure NHS leaders and decision makers hear your voice and use your feedback to improve care. We can also help you to find reliable and trustworthy information and advice.

    Over the past year we have published 22 reports, engaged with 2,043 people and visited six towns of Sandwell delivering our Guided By You workshops.
  45. Report -

    You might remember our Guided By You tour where we held six workshops in six Towns around Sandwell. We visited each Town and spoke to local people about their priorities. We have collated the comments and suggestions from people in each town, this information is now ready in our Guided By You report which is not live!

    Want to see what people in your local area are saying? Use the download button below to see what people are saying in your area.