1. Health and Social Care – The Views of Young People

    Report -

    This project engaged with young people through the use of a survey and a series of focus groups.

  2. Health Advisory Board members wanted

    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.

  3. Healthwatch Sandwell Guided By You Report 2023

    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.

  4. Better Mental Health Strategy: Consultation survey

    News -

    Good mental health is essential for individuals, families and communities to thrive.

    Mental health is not just about preventing mental illness, but also improving the things that keep us well in our communities.

    Our social connections, the environment we live in and the opportunities we have all affect our health and wellbeing, including our mental health.

    Mental health is a natural part of everyday life, and individuals with mental health challenges can lead fulfilling lives and actively participate in our community.

    The Sandwell Better Mental Health strategy 2023-2026 focuses on improving population wellbeing and preventing mental health issues. Our goal is to make sure that people experiencing mental health problems can get the right care at the right time and at the right place, while also supporting everyone in Sandwell to have good mental wellbeing.

  5. Health Advisory Board Meeting July 2023

    Report -

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

  6. Ideas Made Real

    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.

  7. Make a complaint about Healthwatch Sandwell

    Advice and Information -

    As a consumer champion for the public, Healthwatch Sandwell (HWS) regularly listens to experiences about unsatisfactory care and signposts to themost appropriate complaints handler.

  8. Healthwatch Sandwell Annual Report 2022-2023

    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.

  9. August Insight Report

    Report -

    Take a look at our August Insight Report to see what patients are telling us about services in Sandwell.

  10. January Insights 2024

    Report -

    Here are our January Insights from the Healthwatch Sandwell Team!

    Click the link below to see what we have been doing.

  11. Diabetes In Sandwell March 2024

    Report -

    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.

  12. Diabetes in ethnic communities

    Advice and Information -

    10.1%Sandwell adults are registered with diabetes. People from ethnic communities African, African Caribbean and South Asian (Indian, Bangladeshi & Pakistani) have a higher risk of developing diabetes and at younger age than white population.

  13. March Insights

    Report -

    Here is a snapshot of what the team have been doing in March!