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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. -
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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. -
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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. -
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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 -
Bereavement Support and Coffee and Chat Group. -
Advice and Information -
Moodmaster Well-Being Sessions -
Advice and Information -
Sandwell Carers Sessions. -
Advice and Information -
Your Space Your Way - a support group for people with hoarding behaviour. -
News -
Take a look at our July Insight report for an update on what Healthwatch Sandwell have been doing during July! -
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 -
Do you know about your rights to language support in NHS settings? -
Report -
When deaf patients persevere with the consultation without a BSL interpreter it invariably results in misinformation and then misdiagnosis. -
Report -
Communication needs due to a disability, sensory loss or an impairment are covered under the Equality Act 2020 and the NHS Accessible Information Standard (2016) which states that NHS funded health and social care providers must meet the information and communication needs of people who access services. Communication should be undertaken in ways that meet identified needs and information should be provided in formats that are clear and easy to understand. -
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NHS health and social care services care are legally required to follow the Accessible Information Standard 2016. This includes doctors, dentists, hospitals, pharmacies and social workers. The Standard sets out a specific, consistent approach to identifying, recording, flagging, sharing and meeting the information and communication support needs of patients, service users, carers and parents with a disability, impairment or sensory loss. Healthwatch Sandwell have explored with people with disabilities, sensory loss, or impairments
whether health and social care services are meeting their information and communication needs as required under the Accessible Information Standard 2016. -
Report -
Healthwatch Sandwell listen to what people say about their health and care services.
We tell health and care services what people said and how they can make things better. -
Report -
NHS health and social care services care are legally required to follow the Accessible Information Standard 2016. This includes doctors, dentists, hospitals, pharmacies and social workers.
The Standard sets out a specific, consistent approach to identifying, recording, flagging, sharing and meeting the information and communication support needs of patients, service users, carers and parents with a disability, impairment or sensory loss.
Healthwatch Sandwell have explored with people with disabilities, sensory loss, or impairments whether health and social care services are meeting their information and communication needs as required under the Accessible Information Standard 2016. -
Advice and Information -
Healthwatch Sandwell have worked directly with residents with disabilities, impairments or sensory loss, families, carers, and local community support organisations to look at and identify the key issues where services are failing to meet people’s accessible information and communication needs and provides guidance and suggestions on what could work to better meet needs. -
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. -
Report -
Diabetes UK information on ethnicity and diabetes references research that states people of African Caribbean (and Black African and South Asian) ethnicities are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than the white ethnic population and at a younger age, 25 years old compared to 40 years old. Age related diabetes can also develop much earlier at around 50 years old compared to 70 years old for the White population.
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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.
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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. -
Advice and Information -
As a nation, we're a generous lot. You could say that giving is in our blood. But it’s blood we need more people to give to save lives.
Every minute, the NHS needs 3 lifesaving blood donations - everything from emergency surgery, to the precious blood that keeps people with sickle cell healthy.
Sickle cell is more common in people of Black heritage. To get the best possible treatment, people with sickle cell need blood that closely matches their own. This often comes from donors of the same ethnicity. That's why we particularly need donors of Black heritage to sign up and start giving. We also particularly need O negative and O positive donors to book an appointment. O negative can be given to anyone in emergencies, and O positive is blood type most commonly requested by hospitals.
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Report -
Harvest View (opened 24th November 2022) is an integrated social care and health facility with 80 en-suite rooms alongside communal areas for Service Users who need specialist support from both social care and health staff all under one roof. The focus is on reablement1 with a view to helping Sandwell residents get back home after a hospital stay or those who need some structured support to avoid a hospital stay altogether.
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People of South Asian, Black African, and Caribbean backgrounds are at a higher risk of developing certain eye conditions, and almost half of those with sight loss are from households with low incomes.
We are trying to gather as many experiences as possible from people who have used NHS eye care services recently. Help us spread the word by sharing our survey with your supporters.
Each response we receive will help shape eye care services and improve the care people receive.
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News -
Three-quarters of women who are hesitant about cervical screening would use a self-testing kit if it was available for free on the NHS.
A poll of 2,444 women highlights that pain, fear, and misconceptions make them hesitant about taking up invitations for cervical screening appointments. -
Advice and Information -
The Accessible Information Standard is mandatory for all organisations that provide National Health Service (NHS) or adult social care. -
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. -
Advice and Information -
Confused about Long Covid? Find out the common symptoms and how to get support. -
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 -
In total HWS engaged with 68 people, the findings from both surveys have been amalgamated for this report -
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. -
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. -
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.