Universal services

Universal Health Services are accessible to all children and young people. In some cases, there will be similar services available especially for people with Special Education Needs and Disabilities.

General Practitioners (GPs)

GPs are usually your first point of call and are one part of the primary care services which also include community pharmacy, dental, and optometry (eye health) services. These services act as the 'front door' to the NHS.

You can find your local GP using the link below:

https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp 

Health visiting

Health Visitors work with parents and carers who have new babies, offering support from the ante-natal period until your child starts school at five years. Health Visitors may see you at home or in clinics and invite you to join groups and networks run by either us or our colleagues such as Nursery Nurses or Children’s Centre staff. Every GP practice in Sandwell has a named Health Visitor.

Find out more information about services in Sandwell by clicking the link below:

https://www.swbh.nhs.uk/services/health-visiting/

School nursing

School Nurses provide support and advice for a wide variety of health needs and will signpost or refer on as appropriate.

The School Nursing team provides a consistent approach across the borough of Sandwell. All secondary schools have a named school health nurse (SHN) although schools can contact any team member for advice or support. A duty nurse is available Monday to Friday to answer general enquiries.

For more information please click the link below:

https://www.swbh.nhs.uk/services/school-nursing/

Healthy Sandwell, Healthy You

Healthy Sandwell is part of Sandwell Council’s Public Health team. The team has a range of services to support local people to make positive lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking or losing weight.

Healthy Sandwell is a one-stop shop for a range of health and wellbeing services. We provide support and guidance to help you live your best life.

No matter who you are or where you live in Sandwell, they can help you.

For more information about their services please click the link below:

https://www.healthysandwell.co.uk/our-services/

Sexual health services

Healthy Sandwell offer free and confidential emergency contraception, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and information about sexual health.

https://www.healthysandwell.co.uk/our-services/sexual-health/

MENCAP also provide advice and support about sexuality and relationships on the link below:

https://www.mencap.org.uk/advice-and-support/relationships-and-sex

Wellbeing Hub

The Sandwell Wellbeing Hub has lots of information about a range of health and wellbeing services in Sandwell:

http://www.sandwellbeing.co.uk/

Clinical waste

Sandwell Council provides a domestic clinical waste collection and disposal service in partnership with Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust (Transport Services).

If you are in good health, nappies, incontinence pads and sanitary products can go in your general household rubbish - provided they are in small quantities, adequately wrapped and free of excess liquid.

However, if you are undergoing medical treatment this type of waste may present a risk.

You should consult your GP to determine whether this type of waste may present a risk and should not be placed in with your general household refuse.

Items such as:

  • soiled surgical swabs
  • soiled surgical dressings
  • pharmaceutical products 
  • syringe needles

are classed as clinical waste, and must not be disposed of with your general household rubbish. If you wish to dispose of items of this nature you will need to make arrangements with with the NHS, contact details below.

If you are a resident of Sandwell that produces clinical waste, as described above, there is a free service available for the collection and disposal of this waste. Please call Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust on 0121 507 3869 and select Option 4 for further information.

Page last reviewed: 07/09/2020

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Family Information Service

family_information@sandwell.gov.uk
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