1. Registering with your GP: understanding your rights

    Advice and Information -

    People have told us they can have problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are refused the right to register.

  2. Where can I go to get help for my health out of hours?

    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.

  3. Do you need help travelling to NHS services?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services.

  4. Someone I love has died - where can I find support

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at our advice article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving.

  5. What is domestic abuse and how can I get support?

    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.

  6. What support can I get as a carer?

    Advice and Information -

    Many people who provide unpaid care are unaware of their rights. Find out more about the help and support you are entitled to.

  7. Increase in Opioid Overdoses - Advice and Information

    News -

    The West Midlands are seeing an increase in opioid overdose deaths. We provide advice and guidance to reduce risk of overdose.

  8. How to stay informed while you wait for care

    Advice and Information -

    The wait for planned medical care or surgery can be frustrating. That’s why you must get regular and accessible updates while you wait.

  9. What should I expect after being referred for mental health support?

    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.

  10. What is adult social care?

    Advice and Information -

    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.

  11. Our complaints process

    Advice and Information -

    Our complaints process outlines how to make a complaint about us and our approach to making sure complaints are resolved.

  12. How to access mental health support if you have gender, sexuality or relationship diversity

    Advice and Information -

    Mental health problems are more common among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people. 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.

  13. What is Long Covid and what help is available?

    Advice and Information -

    Confused about Long Covid? Find out the common symptoms and how to get support.

  14. Does the NHS have to provide an interpreter?

    Advice and Information -

    Do you know about your rights to language support in NHS settings?

  15. How can you find an NHS dentist?

    Advice and Information -

    Are you having trouble finding an NHS funded dentist? Read our tips on what to do if you’re facing problems.

  16. What the new dental recovery plan means for you

    Advice and Information -

    Are you struggling to find an NHS dentist? The new dental recovery plan might help you get the dental care you need.

  17. What can the Pharmacy First scheme do for me?

    Advice and Information -

    The new Pharmacy First scheme enables your local pharmacy to treat some common conditions with prescription-only medicines, without you visiting your GP. Find out everything you need to know.

  18. Can I access my GP records online?

    Advice and Information -

    From 31 October 2023, GP surgeries must give patients online access to their new health record entries. Find out what information is in your record and how to access it.

  19. Referrals and your right to choose

    Advice and Information -

    Did you know you can choose which hospital you go to when referred for a test, diagnosis, or treatment? Find out how.

  20. What is social prescribing?

    Advice and Information -

    NHS social prescribing link workers can connect you to the right community groups and services to help support you.

  21. What can you expect when you're discharged from hospital?

    Advice and Information -

    The usual processes the NHS follows to discharge you from hospital have changed since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s what you can expect when it’s time to leave hospital.

  22. What help can you get to pay for your prescriptions?

    Advice and Information -

    The cost of living crisis has put many people under financial strain, and prescription costs are more than some can afford. Find out what help is out there to help you cover the cost of your medication.

  23. Social Prescribing in the Dudley borough

    Report -

    We reached out to Social Prescribers from different areas within the borough so they could share their views about their service.

  24. Engaging with elderly Asian communities in Dudley

    Report -

    A chance encounter in Brierley Hill town centre led to Healthwatch Dudley working with Wellington Road Community Centre to support the health and wellbeing of the elderly Asian community.

  25. Over-representation of minority ethnic young people in the Youth Justice System in Dudley

    Report -

    There is a worrying over-representation of minority ethnic young boys in the Youth Justice System (YJS) in Dudley. The Dudley Youth Justice Service Management Board asked us to explore the issue further.

  26. Listening to homeless and vulnerably housed people

    Report -

    The team worked with Midland Heart Housing Association, to establish a monthly breakfast club at Saltbrook Place, a provider of supported housing. We listened to the experiences of the residents to explore the support needed.

  27. Annual report 2022-23

    Report -

    Our annual report celebrates 10 years of Healthwatch Dudley and highlights the changes we have made in the past year as well as the past decade. We look forward to the future and plans to reach more members of our community.

  28. Listening to migrant communities

    Report -

    From language barriers and limited access to healthcare, to housing issues and financial constraints, we want to advocate for improved support and services to address these challenges and ensure the well-being of migrant communities.

  29. High Oak Surgery - listening to the public conversation

    Report -

    The overwhelming majority of people who shared their views (80%) stated that if the High Oak Surgery remains at Brierley Hill Health and Social Care Centre, it "will not be good." We want these voices to be considered when deciding the future location of High Oak Surgery.

  30. Annual report 2021-22

    Report -

    Our Annual Report for 2021-22, highlights our efforts in championing the voices of the local community and improving health and social care services.

  31. Experience of Direct Payments and finding a Personal Assistant in Dudley Borough

    Report -

    Healthwatch Dudley teamed up with Dudley Council to find out how people who receive personal budgets are finding the best people to support them.

    We found there was a need for improved guidance and support in managing the process of employing a Personal Assistant.

  32. Annual report 2020-21

    Report -

    As health and care services swiftly responded to the pandemic by finding new ways of working, Healthwatch Dudley also found new ways of engaging with local people.

  33. Locked out: Digitally excluded people's experiences of remote GP appointments

    Report -

    Has the move to digital healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic improved access for some people excluded others? We joined forces with four other local Healthwatch to find out.

  34. Our Hospital, Our Care, Our Future

    Report -

    A summary of conversations from a People’s Network event, to help shape the future of services provided by The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust.

  35. Community response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

    Report -

    Dudley Council for Voluntary Services (CVS) enlisted volunteers to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and support vulnerable people during a challenging time.

  36. The People’s Network adult social care and you

    Report -

    Summary of an online community forum hosted by Healthwatch Dudley & Dudley Council during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  37. COVID-19: impacts on health and care

    Report -

    We joined forces with other organisations to host an online forum to see how people have been accessing services and what the future of health and care in the Dudley borough might look like.

  38. General practice nursing

    Report -

    Patient knowledge and experience of general practice nurses to inform decision-making in primary care.

  39. The NHS Long Term Plan - Black Country and West Birmingham

    Report -

    A collaborative Healthwatch report on the NHS long-term plan.

  40. Annual Report 2018-19

    Report -

    Our annual report summarises the work that we have done to reach out to the community and champion the voices of local people.

  41. Self-care: what's it all about?

    Report -

    Our report explores the power of self-care and its impact on health and wellbeing.
    ​Learn about engaging community conversations, the role of professionals, mental wellbeing, long-term conditions, and more.

  42. Infants and young children: their healthcare journeys

    Report -

    We were tasked with gathering information that would help us to better understand infants and young children’s healthcare journeys.

  43. Annual report 2017-18

    Report -

    Our annual report covers our work over the past year. Our award winning team have continued to champion the voices of Dudley borough and enact positive change.

  44. Pharmaceutical needs assessment: what are people saying about services?

    Report -

    A look at what minority ethnic groups, males, young people and those living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods have to say about pharmaceutical needs assessment.

  45. Going to the Dentist: what's it like for you?

    Report -

    We explored the views of people accessing Special Care Dentistry and their experiences of dental care and treatment.

  46. Annual report 2016-17

    Report -

    After an award winning year, this report summarises the work Healthwatch Dudley have done for the local community.

  47. Young people's views on emotional health and wellbeing

    Report -

    Dudley Youth Health Researchers explored the health and social care issues that mattered to local young people.

  48. Addressing loneliness and isolation in the face of voluntary sector cuts

    Report -

    A case study on addressing loneliness and isolation in the face of voluntary sector cuts, specifically focusing on Age UK Dudley Day Centres.