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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 -
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. -
Advice and Information -
With more and more appointments happening online, we've put together some tips on how to get the most out of the virtual health and care appointments both for patients and health and care professionals. -
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.
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Advice and Information -
Your mental wellness is as important as your physical health but seeking help can be daunting. Here's what to expect when you seek support for your mental health. -
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.
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Report -
Sandwell CAMHS is a specialist mental health service commissioned to provide interventions to those children, young people and their families. -
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 -
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. -
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. -
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. -
Report -
Here are our January Insights from the Healthwatch Sandwell Team!
Click the link below to see what we have been doing. -
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 -
Find out the signs and symptoms of monkeypox, what to do if you think you have it and who is eligible for a vaccine. -
Report -
The majority of the last year has been spent on setting up the new Healthwatch Sandwell organisation and establishing its partnerships and presence. -
Report -
We have continued to develop ways of engaging with all local people and groups in Sandwell, and the following provides some examples. -
Report -
We have published several reports throughout the year capturing patients’ issues and concerns. -
Report -
Healthwatch Sandwell has continued to be a key partner for NHS Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG over the past year. -
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. -
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:
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Report -
Healthwatch Sandwell often hears from patients saying that it is very difficult to get an appointment at a GP Surgery. -
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. -
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 -
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). -
Report -
Health Overview Scrutiny Committees (HOSC) are statutory Local Authority bodies with the duty to oversee NHS services. -
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. -
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). -
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). -
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). -
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. -
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. -
Report -
When deaf patients persevere with the consultation without a BSL interpreter it invariably results in misinformation and then misdiagnosis. -
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: -
Report -
This project engaged with young people through the use of a survey and a series of focus groups. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
Report -
Throughout the year a total of 9 Youth Healthwatch volunteers have been recruited and attending regular meetings. -
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’.
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Report -
Our Healthwatch activities involve signposting the public to relevant support agencies to assist them with their concerns. -
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. -
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 Advisory Board (HAB) Meeting held on Thursday 18 July 2019, 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.
Central Avenue, Tipton, Sandwell
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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
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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
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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
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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