News and reports

A number of patients had contacted Healthwatch Sandwell during the COVID-19 pandemic as they have been unable to register with a National Health dentist. Dentists were not taking on new patients and were not offering routine checks (due to COVID-19 restrictions). However, some patients were able to access a dentist for emergency treatment.

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.

Al-Shafa Pharmacy is a dispensing chemist providing a service for local people.

Healthwatch Sandwell would like to hear from people in Sandwell to help decide their main priorities for the next 12 months. We are asking for people to complete a short survey about their experiences with local health and social care services.

This pharmacy operate ‘Pharmacy First’ which means the team can give clinical and practical medical advice or over-the-counter medicines to help safely manage minor health issues such as: sore throats, coughs, colds, tummy troubles, teething problems and aches and pains.

Have you been referred by your GP to hospital for an appointment, treatment, or operation? Are you still waiting? If so Healthwatch Sandwell would like to hear from you.

The Accessible Information Standard is mandatory for all organisations that provide National Health Service (NHS) or adult social care.

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

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.

HWS proposed to engage with people with Sickle Cell (an inherited blood disorder, which predominantly affects people of African and African Caribbean ethnicity).

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.

Do you or a loved one need help with social care? Read the article below and find out answers to key questions about who can access adult social care and how to pay for it.