1. Where can I go to get help for my health out of hours?

    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.

  2. What is domestic abuse and how can I get support?

    Advice and Information -

    If you are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse, or are worried about someone who might be, find out where you can go for advice and help.

  3. What is Monkeypox and who can get a vaccine?

    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.

  4. Healthwatch Sandwell Annual Report 2013-14

    Report -

    The majority of the last year has been spent on setting up the new Healthwatch Sandwell organisation and establishing its partnerships and presence.

  5. Healthwatch Sandwell Annual Report 2014-15

    Report -

    We have continued to develop ways of engaging with all local people and groups in Sandwell, and the following provides some examples.

  6. Healthwatch Sandwell Annual Report 2015-16

    Report -

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

  7. Healthwatch Sandwell Annual Report 2016 -17

    Report -

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

  8. Healthwatch Sandwell Annual Report 2017 -18

    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.

  9. Healthwatch Sandwell Annual Report 2019-20

    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:

  10. Healthwatch-Sandwell-Annual-Report-2020-21

    Report -

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

  11. GP Access Survey report– Opening Times and Booking Preferences

    Report -

    We have recently carried out a survey to find out people's preferences when booking an appointment with their GP and how to book.

  12. Flu Vaccination Availability in Sandwell report

    Report -

    In June and July 2017 Healthwatch Sandwell (HWS) carried out an investigation into the public’s awareness of where flu vaccinations could be obtained, and if they had chosen not to, why not

  13. Patient Participation Group - Smethwick

    Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell (HWS) are conducting a survey of all General Practitioner (GP) Practices to find out their patient's and visitors' knowledge, awareness, and involvement in each practice’s Patient Participation Group (PPG).

  14. A Good Practice Guide For Health Overview Scrutiny Committees

    Report -

    Health Overview Scrutiny Committees (HOSC) are statutory Local Authority bodies with the duty to oversee NHS services.

  15. Heart of Sandwell Day Hospice - Revisited

    Report -

    This investigation is a follow-up to the earlier Healthwatch Sandwell (HWS) reports published in July and October 2017 which made four recommendations to improve the service.

  16. Patient Participation Group - Rowley Regis

    Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell (HWS) are conducting a survey of all General Practitioner (GP) Practices to find out their patients’ and visitors’ knowledge, awareness and involvement in each practice’s Patient Participation Group (PPG).

  17. Patient Participation Group - Tipton

    Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell (HWS) are conducting a survey of all General Practitioner (GP) Practices to find out their patients’ and visitors’ knowledge, awareness and involvement in each practice’s Patient Participation Group (PPG).

  18. Patient Participation Group - Wednesbury

    Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell (HWS) are conducting a survey of all General Practitioner (GP) Practices to find out their patients’ and visitors’knowledge, awareness and involvement in each Practice’s Patient Participation Group (PPG).

  19. Patient Participation Groups in Sandwell Review

    Report -

    This project aimed to ascertain patients’ awareness of their local PPG and to find out if patients are involved in their local PPG and if they have received any information about it.

  20. Evaluation of Knowledge and Experience of Purple Points Initiative Provided by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust

    Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell (HWS) visited Sandwell General Hospital (SGH), Rowley Regis Hospital (RRH) and City Hospital (CH) to evaluate how effective the Purple Points Initiative (PPI) is and to ascertain whether patients and carers are aware of the initiative.

  21. Deaf Focus Group REPORT: JUNE 2020

    Report -

    When deaf patients persevere with the consultation without a BSL interpreter it invariably results in misinformation and then misdiagnosis.

  22. Accessing Healthcare in Sandwell: Homelessness Project Report 2020

    Report -

    The target population in this project were homeless people in Sandwell. Homelessness has a number of guises, for the purpose of the project HWS engaged with those:

  23. 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.

  24. Healthwatch Sandwell Local Intelligence Report July-Sept 2020

    Report -

    During the period July – September 2020 Healthwatch Sandwell has collated patient experiences. 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 220 experiences/comments shared across NHS and Social Care Services.

  25. Deaf Focus Group Report

    Report -

    HWS in partnership with SDCA have created a focus group for deaf and hard of hearing people to share their health and social care experiences in Sandwell. Please find attached our report following a focus group held on the 22nd of September 2020.

  26. Using Digital Technology in Primary Care Services

    Report -

    This report looks at the patient experience of using digital technology in primary care services in Sandwell. In 2019 Sandwell ranked as the 12th most deprived local authority area nationally for indices of multiple deprivations.

  27. Healthwatch Sandwell Local Intelligence Report Jan- March 2021

    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.

  28. Establishing a Youth Healthwatch 2020/21

    Report -

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

  29. Intelligence Report April - June 2021

    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’.

  30. Intelligence Report October- December 2021

    Report -

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

  31. 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.

  32. National Moment of Reflection, Sunday 18th of September at 8 pm

    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.

  33. HAB Board Meeting Minutes July 2019

    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

  34. HAB Public Board Meeting Minutes September-2019

    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

  35. HAB Public Board Meeting Minutes November 2019

    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

  36. HAB Public Board Meeting Minutes Jan 2020

    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

  37. HAB Public Board Meeting Minutes March 2020

    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

  38. HAB Public Board Meeting Agenda 12th October 2020

    Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
    Day 12 October 2020 – Virtual Meeting MS Teams

  39. HAB Public Board Minutes 12th October 2020

    Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
    Microsoft Teams Virtual Meeting 12th October 2020

  40. DMP Escalation Report Dec 2020

    Advice and Information -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
    Decision making Policy (DMP) – Escalation report

  41. DMP Breach Report Dec 2020

    Advice and Information -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
    Decision Making Policy (DMP) – Breach report

  42. Health Advisory Board meeting agenda January 2021

    Advice and Information -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
    27 January 2021 – Virtual Microsoft Teams
    Public Board Meeting Agenda

  43. HAB Public Board Meeting Minutes Jan 2021

    Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
    Microsoft Teams Virtual Meeting 27th January 2021

  44. HAB Agenda 4th May 2021

    Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
    4 May 2021 2021
    Public Board Meeting Agenda

  45. HAB Public Board Meeting Minutes May 2021

    Report -

    Minutes of Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
    4 May 2021, 2021

  46. HAB Public Board Meeting Minutes April 2022

    Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
    26th April 2022 Minutes

  47. 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

  48. Do you need to book a blood test in Sandwell?

    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.


  49. Healthwatch Sandwell July - September Insight Report

    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.