Latest news

With the second bank holiday in May approaching, people in the Black Country are being reminded how to access NHS services should they need help over the long weekend.

People who live in Dudley borough are benefiting from a shared care record programme that has been rolled out across the Black Country.

Asthma diagnosis can be particularly challenging in children, and early, accurate diagnosis is critical to effective management and care.

“Midwives play a vital role in families’ lives at an extremely vulnerable time – I’m so proud of the fantastic teams we have in the Black Country.”

Ahead of the Easter bank holiday weekend (Friday 18 April – Monday 21 April), people in the Black Country are being reminded how to get the right care if they feel unwell.

Last week (Monday 7 April – Friday 11 April), a double decker cancer bus visited locations across the Black Country to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer.

​Over 70 professionals come together for homelessness and health event in the Black Country.

An NHS double-decker bus is touring the Black Country this week (Monday 7 April – Friday 11 April) to help raises awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and the importance of early detection.

Paula Henry is motivated by making a difference and empowering women and is confident her new role as Perinatal Pelvic Health Specialist Midwife will bring plenty of opportunities to do just that.

A team who led on a unique project to help improve healthcare for Black African and Caribbean communities in the Black Country has won a cancer award for their hard work and dedication.

Parents and carers across the Black Country are being given free thermometers to ensure the correct room temperature for their babies as part of the Safer Sleep Week campaign.

People in the Black Country are being reminded of the simple actions that they can take to reduce the spread of norovirus.

“Women are often in floods of tears when they’ve finally opened up about their pelvic health because they’ve suffered this life-changing issue in silence – often for years.”

In February, a series of pop-up cancer conversation shops took place across the Black Country to mark World Cancer Day (Tuesday 4 February) and to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer.

An innovative Walsall clinic is supporting parents who have suffered baby loss, have mental health needs or have experienced previous birth trauma.

Victims of FGM are being supported by a dedicated service in the Black Country.

Healthcare organisations in the Black Country are teaming up to give a ‘behind the scenes’ look at healthcare over a week-long period.

A Wolverhampton mum whose baby was seriously ill after contracting a common winter virus has urged other soon-to-be mothers to get vaccinated.

The NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) has successfully supported a bid to establish one of the UK’s new National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Commercial Research Delivery Centres (CRDCs) to expand access to innovative clinical trials and deliver life-changing treatments to some of the UK’s most underserved communities.

With flu cases rising in the Black Country, eligible people are being urged to come forward for a flu vaccination.

The NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) has achieved a significant breakthrough in safeguarding and patient care with the use of the One Health and Care (OHC), a confidential NHS shared care record for the Black Country provided by Graphnet.

The NHS in the Black Country is asking local people to think which service they need this winter to help ease pressures.

Ahead of the festive period people in the Black Country are being reminded how to access health services.

This Lung Cancer Awareness Month (November), people in the Black Country are being reminded of the signs and symptoms of lung cancer.

The Maternity department at City Hospital relocated to the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital on Wednesday 6 November.

Mealtime Mates to support recovering hospital patients to eat and drink – as well as provide company and conversation – are being sought across two Black Country NHS Trusts.

NHS, Local Authority and third sector staff are working harder than ever to get services back on track, to get waiting lists down and consistently deliver the best care.

Local leader, Emma Bennett, has been appointed to the Board of the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) as local authority partner member.

Patients using the Emergency Departments (EDs) at two Black Country hospitals will be offered routine HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C blood tests.

A new Chief Executive with more than 30 years’ experience in the healthcare sector will take over two Black Country NHS Trusts early next year.

A new pilot set to support thousands of people across the Black Country with health conditions and disabilities to find or retain employment to boost their wellbeing has officially launched.

A celebration of research undertaken across the Black Country is being held this autumn, with a Team GB Gold medal Paralympian ready to inspire and support further successes.

This week (Monday 9 September – Friday 13 September), a double decker cancer bus has visited locations across the Black Country to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer.

A new app has generated more than 40 ideas for improvement across Black Country Maternity Services, earning the initiative a nomination for a national award.

Women and families who want to use their experiences to help shape Maternity and Neonatal services throughout the Black Country, are being invited to share their views in a series of meetings running throughout September.

Urgent and Emergency Care Teams at Walsall Manor Hospital who have worked to deliver some of the shortest ambulance handover times in the country, have seen their efforts shortlisted in a national award programme.

More than 40 Midwives will be settling into new roles across Black Country hospitals over the next few weeks, following a successful recruitment drive. Organised by the Black Country Local Maternity and Neonatal System (BCLMNS), the event was held to show Band 5 Midwives the opportunities across Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley and Sandwell.

A vaccine to protect babies from a major respiratory virus that results in thousands of hospitalisations each year is being offered to Black Country mums-to-be.

Teams from the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust (WHT), whg and The George Coller Memorial Fund have been recognised at this year’s HSJ Awards.

Ahead of the summer bank holiday (Monday 26 August), people in the Black Country are being reminded how to access NHS health services.

Dudley Dad is treated at hospital after Healthy Heart Hubs check

The University of Wolverhampton, working in partnership with the Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, has today announced ambitious plans for a new Medical School in the Black Country.

The NHS has issued important guidance as temperatures climb this week.

On Friday 19 July, the majority of GP practices in the Black Country were affected by a global IT outage. We can now confirm that the issues with the IT systems have been resolved, things might be a little slower for a while as the system catches up, but people should access primary care in the Black Country as normal.

The majority of GP practices in the Black Country have been affected by a global IT outage today (Friday 19 July) and health chiefs have issued the following advice.

People in the Black Country are being urged to think carefully about which health service they should use during the upcoming industrial action.

More than 1,800 staff working across the Black Country have taken up training to promote safer sleeping for babies.

More than 120 colleagues from across the Black Country Integrated Care System (ICS) attended an Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) conference in June, to share progress on how they are improving the experience of colleagues one year after launching a dedicated EDI strategy. 

The Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), working in partnership with Walsall Together and VUIT, has been recognised at this year’s HSJ Digital Awards.

Local people are being invited to come forward for a free health check during Diabetes Week (10 – 16 June) and check their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Celebrations took place at Russells Hall hospital after the Trust’s world-renowned Paediatric Virtual Ward welcomed its 1000th patient in early May.

Ahead of the spring bank holiday (Monday 27 May), people in the Black Country are being reminded how to access NHS health services.

This May Measure Month (MMM), eligible people in the Black Country are being reminded to visit their local pharmacy for a blood pressure check.

Thousands of people across the Black Country with health conditions and disabilities are set to be supported to find or retain employment to boost their wellbeing, thanks to a new national scheme that will be piloted in the Black Country.

Community Interest Company (CIC) DHU Healthcare is now responsible for delivering NHS 111 services for people across the Midlands.

Ahead of World Asthma Day (Tuesday 7 May), people in the Black Country are being reminded of the signs and symptoms of asthma.

A research champion is working to maximise opportunities for staff and patients across the Black Country’s Maternity and Neonatal Services to be part of potentially life-changing trials and studies.

People in the Black Country are being encouraged to break the taboo and talk about death, dying and bereavement ahead of Dying Matters Awareness Week (Monday 6 – 12 May).

Newly qualified Midwives working across the Black Country will now be given structured support for up to 18 months in their first role.

Health and care staff from across the Black Country are raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of heart failure as part of this year’s Heart Failure Awareness (HFA) Week.

NHS staff in the Black Country can now get free health checks to help improve their health and wellbeing.

Care for Black Country mums with pelvic health issues that have developed during pregnancy or following the birth of their babies will be further boosted through a specialist midwife role that has been created.

Health and care staff in the Black Country have been recognised at this year’s Midlands Inclusivity and Diversity Award Scheme (MIDAS).

Ahead of the Easter bank holiday weekend (Friday 29 March – Monday 1 April), people in the Black Country are being reminded how to access NHS health services.

Maternity teams across the Black Country are the first to jointly roll out a region-wide digital platform to engage with frontline staff and use their feedback to improve patient experience.

Bereaved parents and their families who have used Maternity and Neonatal Services across Sandwell and Dudley are invited to attend an engagement session to share their experiences and help healthcare professionals shape the support given following baby loss.

Bereaved parents and their families who have used Maternity and Neonatal Services across Walsall and Wolverhampton are invited to attend an engagement session to share their experiences and help healthcare professionals shape the support given following baby loss.

Local children and their families were invited to attend a fun and educational event in February to learn more about asthma and the impacts of indoor and outdoor air quality.

Free training has been made available for people working and/or living in the Black Country to support the national Safer Sleep campaign run by the Lullaby Trust.

In June 2023, the Black Country Integrated Care System (ICS) published its first Workforce Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy, to address the inequalities experienced by staff in the workplace.

This week (Monday 26 February – Friday 1 March), a double decker cancer bus has visited locations across the Black Country to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer.

An innovative leader to champion and advance pelvic health care throughout the Black Country’s Maternity Services is being sought.

Forty Walsall patients have taken part in a national study to evaluate how well people recover from day case surgery at home.

People in the Black Country are being urged to think carefully about which health service they should use during the upcoming industrial action.

Building a good relationship with the same Midwife - leading up to and beyond the birth of their babies - is emerging as one of the most important features of Maternity Services for mums-to-be and birthing people across the Black Country.

More pop-up vaccination clinics have been set up in the Black Country to help ensure people are up to date with their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab.

Healthcare organisations in the Black Country are teaming up to give a ‘behind the scenes’ look at healthcare over a 24-hour period.

Local people are being invited to attend a meeting of the Black Country Integrated Care Partnership (ICP), which will meet in public for the first time this week.

Mums-to-be and birthing people across the Black Country are being asked to share their views on a proposal to provide a more personalised experience for them.

People in the Black Country are being urged to think carefully about which health service they should use during the upcoming industrial action and the Christmas and New Year bank holidays.

NHS Midlands and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) hosted the Midlands Health Inequalities Conference 2023 at The Studio in Birmingham on Wednesday 29 November.

A new health centre has officially opened in Wednesbury following a joint development project between Sandwell Council and the NHS.

NHS Midlands and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) hosted the Midlands Health Inequalities Conference 2023 at The Studio in Birmingham on Wednesday 29 November.

Women and families who have used Maternity and Neonatal Services and want to help drive improvements are being invited to join healthcare professionals at a Black Country event in the New Year.

Local health chiefs have issued important guidance following today’s cold weather alert.

Since April 2022, NHS England has required all NHS organisations in England to apply the Government’s Social Value Model to the commissioning and purchase of goods and services for the NHS. This has meant that all NHS procurements needed to include a minimum 10% net zero and social value weighting.

Ongoing improvements at Walsall Manor will see better provision for patients who are referred to a specialist unit to be assessed, diagnosed and treated so they can return home without being admitted to hospital overnight.

Parents and carers in the Black Country are being reminded to get their children vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).

Pregnant women are being encouraged to take up their free flu and autumn COVID-19 vaccines being offered across the Black Country to protect themselves and their babies ahead of winter.

A Walsall couple have praised Neonatal services at the Manor Hospital for the support and care they are receiving.

Care staff from across the Black Country have been recognised at a Black Country Excellence in Adult Social Care award ceremony.

Families across Walsall are finding out about how to best manage their children’s asthma as part of a pilot to improve health in the borough.

Support Workers who are interested in joining Maternity Services to support families across the Black Country can find out more about a tailored apprenticeship programme at a recruitment event coming up this month.

Clinical and care professional leaders from across the Black Country attended the latest Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Medical Officer collaboration event in October, to discuss how health services can be improved to ensure patients are receiving the best care.

Health and social care professionals from across the Black Country attended an event hosted by the Black Country Allied Health Professions (AHP) Council last week to share examples of AHP best practice and the importance of collaborative working.

A team from the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) has been leading on a unique project to help improve healthcare for Black African and Caribbean communities in the Black Country.

New Oncology Research Nurse Memory Nelson is supporting Consultants at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust to recruit patients to take part in cancer trials to boost participants in this important area of work.

More than 90 Midwives have joined teams across the Black Country over the last 12 months thanks to an ever-growing recruitment event.

People in the Black Country are being urged to think carefully about which health service they should use during next week’s industrial action.

New Cross Hospital will become the centre for a new specialist type of skin cancer treatment for the Black Country and West Birmingham area with a new £1.3 million facility that will ensure patients are seen quicker and treated closer to home.

A groundbreaking partnership that aims to improve health outcomes for social housing residents has been officially launched in the Black Country.

People in the Black Country are being urged to think carefully about which health service they should use during this week’s industrial action.

Care leavers in the Black Country, who are not entitled to free prescriptions, can now apply for a pre-payment certificate so they don’t have to pay for prescribed medication.

Women and families who have used Maternity and Neonatal Services and want to help drive improvements are being invited to join healthcare professionals at a forthcoming Black Country event.

Ahead of the August bank holiday weekend, people in the Black Country are being reminded how to access NHS health services if they need help.

One Health and Care, the digital shared care record in the Black Country, achieved a major milestone in August, with all local acute NHS Trusts now flowing data into the digital record.

Walsall Together is delighted to announce it has been shortlisted for a Place-based Partnership and Integrated Care Award, at the Health Service Journal Awards (HSJ), in recognition of its outstanding contribution to health and wellbeing across Walsall.

Patients in the Black Country are being reminded that the NHS will still be available for urgent and emergency care during the latest round of industrial action but are being asked to use services wisely

Digital and healthcare experts have joined forces to look at ways that Pathology data can be used more effectively to support Black Country patients with anaemia and the clinicians who treat them

A new group that will focus on supporting Arab Nursing and Midwifery colleagues to have the same career opportunities as others has been created – thanks to the efforts of two leading lights in the Black Country.

People in the Black Country are being reminded how to stay well this summer, and what NHS services are available should they need help.

A scheme to encourage people to recycle their used inhalers instead of binning them has launched in Wolverhampton.

Walsall Council, in partnership with NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), has launched a new locality-based model of support for Walsall’s voluntary and community organisations across the borough.

Healthcare professionals from across the Black Country recently attended a diabetes management event to share and discuss best practice when it comes to supporting people living with type 2 diabetes

More than 400 children and young people have been supported to receive care from the comfort of their own homes in the first year of a Paediatric Virtual Ward being set up through The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT).

A Virtual Ward set up to support patients with acute respiratory infections has just reached its first birthday – with staff celebrating the fact that 399 Walsall patients have been able to avoid a hospital admission as a result of the service.

Health leaders across the Black Country are urging people to make sure they are up to date with their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab.

Healthcare professionals from across the Black Country recently attended an asthma event to share best practice when it comes to asthma management in children.

The Dudley Group NHS Trust hosted a 5k superhero fun run at Himley Hall Park in June to raise money for the children’s ward at Russells Hall Hospital

NHS staff from across the Black Country attended a special multi-faith service at Westminster Abbey last week to celebrate the NHS’s 75th birthday.

Patients in the Black Country are being reminded that the NHS will still be available for urgent and emergency care during the industrial action but are being asked to use services wisely.

Today (Wednesday 5 July) marks 75 years of the NHS. To mark this milestone anniversary, NHS staff from across the Black Country who share same birthday with the service are sharing what the NHS means to them.

As the NHS celebrates its 75th birthday, people from across the Black Country have come together to share their birthday messages for the service.

Ahead of the NHS’s 75th birthday, which takes place on Wednesday 5 July, people from across the Black Country have come together to reflect on their favourite thing about the institution.

On Wednesday 5 July, the NHS will celebrate its 75th anniversary and the Black Country NHS has created a special poem to mark the occasion.

A free community celebration to showcase the creative work of local artists set against the backdrop of Windrush is being held in Wolverhampton this week.

Housing professionals from across the Black Country have taken part in a development programme to explore how collaborative working can improve health inequalities for social housing residents.

More than 35 healthcare professionals from across the Black Country Integrated Care System (ICS) attended a research event in June, highlighting the importance that quality research plays in providing new and better treatment and care for local people.

Patients in the Black Country are being reminded that the NHS will still be available for urgent and emergency care this week but are being asked to use services wisely.

Women in the Black Country are being encouraged to attend a special health and wellbeing event in Dudley this weekend.

Health and care colleagues from across the Black Country Integrated Care System (ICS) attended a Greener NHS Sustainability Networking Day in May, to share their views on how healthcare can be delivered more sustainably in the Black Country.

Health and care colleagues from across the Black Country took part in the first system-wide virtual Health and Wellbeing Week in May.

A Walsall leader is urging members of the Asian community to come forward to support a special blood testing session arranged at the Manor Hospital.

The National Director for Primary Care and Community Health Services for NHS England, Dr Amanda Doyle, visited the Sandwell Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) Hub in May, located at Glebefields Health Centre in Tipton.

Staff and visitors at Walsall Manor Hospital are being invited to discover their blood type and help a local charity to save lives across the borough’s communities.

Mothers of premature babies discharged from Walsall’s Neonatal Unit will be offered a breast milk supplement so they can continue to be fed this way at home with extra nutrition.

Creative young people from the BAME community are being invited to play their part in an exciting arts and heritage project around Windrush following a grant secured through The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) Charity.

More than 1,600 care homes beds across the Black Country are now using remote monitoring technology to help support and manage the health and wellbeing of residents.

More than 90 people attended a Race and Inequalities Summit in May, to highlight the work happening across the Black Country to reduce health inequalities and address racism

Specialist Midwives across the Black Country have been working on a host of initiatives to make Maternity Services more equitable and inclusive – including staff sessions to highlight and support communities’ cultural needs.

Midwives across the Black Country, who make a daily difference to families’ lives, are being thanked and celebrated today.

Ahead of National Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Day, health chiefs in the Black Country are raising awareness of the important role of cancer nurses.

A national test of the new Emergency Alerts service will take place at 3pm on Sunday 23 April. The system will enable people to be contacted via their mobile phone when lives are in danger.

Patients in the Black Country are being reminded that the NHS will still be available for urgent and emergency care this week, but are being asked to use services wisely.

More than 100 colleagues from across the Black Country Integrated Care System (ICS) attended an Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) celebration event in March, to highlight the breadth of equalities work taking place across the Black Country

Healthcare professionals and partner organisations from across the Black Country recently attended an event hosted by the Children and Young Person (CYP) Asthma Transformation Network, to share their views on how children and young people can be better supported to manage their asthma.

The UK government’s new Emergency Alerts system is now live. The system will enable people to be contacted via their mobile phone when lives are in danger.

In March, housing providers from across the Black Country came together with the NHS for a roundtable event to mark the establishment of the Black Country Health and Housing Forum.

Dudley Wood Surgery will be hosting a Prostate Cancer Awareness Event on 21st March 2023 which aims to promote early detection of the disease.

A host of midwifery and nursing opportunities across the Black Country will be showcased at a recruitment event this spring.

Black Country Midwives, Maternity Support Workers and Neonatal Nurses are all supporting a national campaign to reduce the number of baby deaths in the region where unsafe sleeping habits have been identified.

Delighted teams have now moved into their brand-new Emergency Department at Walsall Manor Hospital’s c£40m Urgent and Emergency Care Centre (UECC).

Clinical leaders from across the Black Country attended a collaboration event in February, to share their views on how healthcare services can be improved for patients.

Mums across the Black Country are being given an opportunity to share their experience of maternity care by taking part in a national survey which will help their local NHS Trusts target improvements.

A multi-million pound Urgent and Emergency Care Centre (UECC) will receive its first patients next month, proud Walsall Healthcare chiefs have announced.

A ground-breaking employment scheme that has helped more than 1,000 people living across the region with long-term health conditions get back into work is to continue for another two years.

Chief People Officer for NHS Black Country, Shajeda Ahmed, has signed the Menopause Workplace Pledge on behalf of the Black Country Integrated Care System (ICS).

Chief People Officer for NHS Black Country, Shajeda Ahmed, has signed the Care Leaver Covenant on behalf of the Black Country Integrated Care System.

In January, around 60 representatives from the local pharmacy workforce attended a launch event to mark the establishment of the Black Country Pharmacy Faculty.

New facilities, exciting digital innovations and thousands of extra appointments are just some of the ways the NHS in the Black Country has been working to manage unprecedented pressures this winter.

People living in the Black Country are being invited to give their views on health services to help shape a local NHS five-year plan.

Health and care leaders in the Black Country have been recognised at this year’s Midlands Inclusivity and Diversity Award Scheme (MIDAS).

The November edition of the Healthier Futures newsletter is available now.

NHS organisations in the Black Country are teaming up to give a ‘behind the scenes’ look at healthcare over a 24-hour period.

Five new consultants, who all completed their training at Walsall Healthcare, are coming back to work for the Trust, eager to start at the new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre at Manor Hospital.

Health and care leaders in the Black Country have been shortlisted for two awards in this year’s Midlands Inclusivity and Diversity Award Scheme (MIDAS).

A recruitment event to attract midwives and neonatal nurses to come and make a difference to families in the Black Country is being held next month.

A conference organised by the Black Country and West Birmingham Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS) last week has been voted a success with four NHS Trusts and community organisations coming together to share improvements and ideas.

An NHS cancer hotline offering advice for Sandwell residents who are worried they may have symptoms of cancer has launched this week.

A range of speakers and workshops covering a host of topics, with the chance for service users to share their experiences at a maternity and neonatal conference in the Black Country.

The Black Country ICS is hosting the next round of virtual development workshops to keep everyone informed of the way that health and care are working together.

Face coverings have been reintroduced in hospital settings following a continued rise in Covid-19 cases in Wolverhampton.

Walsall Together Partnership has been successful in securing £97,000 funding to develop a team of up to 20 community connectors to help reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes for people in Walsall.

From today (Friday 1 July), the Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) will be formally established and replace the NHS Black Country and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group (BCWB CCG).

Infant Feeding teams and midwives across the Black Country and West Birmingham will be supporting and encouraging mums this National Breastfeeding Week which runs from Monday 27 June until Friday 1 July.

Respected local NHS leader Mark Axcell has been formally appointed as substantive Chief Executive Officer for the Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB). 

A special online event will be taking place in June for nurses and allied health professionals (AHPs) looking to return to practice.

A Chief People Officer has been appointed to the executive team for the new Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB).

Today (5 May) is International Day of the Midwife and the Black Country and West Birmingham Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS) wants to thank those who make a difference to families across our communities.

The leadership team for the new Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) continues to take shape with the appointment of a new executive.

Since the start of the vaccination roll-out, more than 2.6 million vaccines have been administered in the Black Country and West Birmingham.

The NHS has today gone out to advert for a substantive Chief Executive Officer to lead the new Black Country Integrated Care Board and play a pivotal role within the local health and care system.