1. 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.
  2. Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell will champion the interests of people who use health and social care services and ensure that they have an opportunity to speak out about their concerns and health and social care priorities.
  3. News -

    In her speech to the Conservative Party Conference today, the health secretary repeated much of what she had announced on 22 September in ‘Our Plan for Patients’, with slightly less rigid language over patient access to GPs.
  4. Blog -

    Working with voluntary community sector organisations who provide support to carers HWS gathered insight on the experiences of being a carer in Sandwell during the Covid-19 pandemic.
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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

  9. 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
  10. Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
    Day 12 October 2020 – Virtual Meeting MS Teams
  11. Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
    Microsoft Teams Virtual Meeting 12th October 2020
  12. Advice and Information -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
    Decision making Policy (DMP) – Escalation report
  13. Advice and Information -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
    Decision Making Policy (DMP) – Breach report
  14. Advice and Information -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
    27 January 2021 – Virtual Microsoft Teams
    Public Board Meeting Agenda
  15. Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
    Microsoft Teams Virtual Meeting 27th January 2021
  16. Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
    4 May 2021 2021
    Public Board Meeting Agenda
  17. Report -

    Minutes of Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
    4 May 2021, 2021
  18. Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
    26th April 2022 Minutes
  19. Report -

    Healthwatch Sandwell Advisory Board
    26 April 2022 9.30 – 11.30 am – Virtual Microsoft Teams
    Public Board Meeting Agenda
  20. 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.


  21. 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.
  22. Report -

    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.
  23. Report -

    Championing what matters to you - To make sure people’s experiences help make health and care better.
  24. News -

    Healthwatch Sandwell would like to share their deepest condolences to the Royal Family following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll.
  25. News -

    Today we held our Annual Public Meeting.

    If you were unable to join us you can always look through our presentation to keep up to date and see what we talked about during the event.
  26. News -

    ‘Patients in waiting’ – experiences of hospital treatment pathways and how to change to ‘patients in preparation’ for treatment.

    A report by Healthwatch England (HWE) states that people in deprived areas are waiting longer for treatment2. Based on the average deprivation score Sandwell is ranked as the 12th most deprived local authority in England3. Healthwatch Sandwell (HWS) wanted to build upon the HWE findings to explore what the backlog in NHS treatments means for Sandwell resident patients and consider what might improve the ‘patients in waiting’ experience.
  27. Advice and Information -

    A priority project for 2022/23 is exploring The patient experience of accessing primary care services – this report gives an insight to initial findings.
  28. News -

    Eveappeal are delighted to launch our free, interactive, health-education lesson plans for young people aged 7-13, covering the topics anatomy, menstrual health, HPV and cancer.
  29. News -

    See what the Healthwatch Sandwell Team have been doing in our summer news letter. Why not save the dates from our ‘where we will be section’ and come and talk to us and share your Health and Social Care experiences.
  30. News -

    Healthwatch Sandwell is your independent consumer champion for
    health and social care services in Sandwell.
  31. News -

    Throughout the pandemic, Mental Health in young people exacerbated due to minimal socialising with the lock down, not attending education and having to support relatives.
  32. News -

    Flo is a new text messaging service for pregnant women and new parents. It shares useful information throughout your pregnancy and when your child is born.
  33. News -

    Open letter from NHS, charity and community leaders to people with a weakened immune system.
  34. Advice and Information -

    As we progress toward confirming a go-live date for One Health and Care, the new digital shared care record for the Black Country and West Birmingham, we are seeking your support to make local people aware of this new system before launch.
  35. News -

    As we progress toward confirming a go-live date for One Health and Care, the new digital shared care record for the Black Country and West Birmingham, we are seeking your support to make local people aware of this new system before launch.
  36. News -

    Our colleague and Friend John Taylor sadly passed away on the morning of May 25.

    John worked hard to raise the profile of Healthwatch, initially as Chair of Healthwatch Walsall before moving across to sit as the Chair of Healthwatch Sandwell in 2019. John was well known and respected for his tremendous work throughout the Black Country and for his great input into the work that Healthwatch England has done.
  37. News -

    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.
  38. News -

    During January and March we engaged with a staggering 948 people, supporting individuals with GP issues, prescription problems, patient care at Sandwell General Hospital, transport concerns and much more.
  39. News -

    Black Country NHS needs your help to develop an all-age autism roadmap that will guide how organisations across the Black Country support autistic children, young people and adults, and their families and carers.
  40. News -

    Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospital Trust are inviting Sandwell residents to workshops about the new hospital, Midland Metropolitan University Hospital:
    Proposed changes to Day Case Surgery

    Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Smethwick is opening in 2023 and in order for us to provide the highest standard of care we need to make some changes now in preparation for the opening of the new hospital.
  41. News -

    Everyone will have 2 vaccines, one now and the 2nd one 8 weeks later. After 3 months you will need a booster vaccine. It is very important now the lockdown has ended and we are returning to normal life.
  42. News -

    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.
  43. News -

    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.
  44. Report -

    Residents of Sandwell regularly express frustrations with accessing GP Surgery
    appointments.
  45. Report -

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

    This report will provide an overview of the services at Asda Pharmacy and will provide
    customer experience feedback.
  47. Report -

    At first glance this case study and description of events sound relatively straight forward that
    is, a person with a progressive degenerative neurological disease > receives support at home >
    receives care in hospital > moves to a respite at care home > moves to a more suitable care
    home, however, this person’s experience has highlighted many obstacles within the process
    and has been fraught with difficulties.
  48. Advice and Information -

    Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.
    Supporting Sandwell with the cost of living.
  49. Advice and Information -

    World AIDS Day
    World AIDS Day brings together people from around the world to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and demonstrate international solidarity in the face of the pandemic.

    Today gives people the opportunity to spread awareness of the pandemic and and encourage progress in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care.