The National Institute for Health and Care and Excellence (NICE) has published a Technology Appraisal for Tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity (TA1026) on 23 December 2024.

This Technology Appraisal makes Tirzepatide available for weight management, under the brand name Mounjaro. Unlike previous weight management medication, this can be prescribed in Primary Care, however it still needs the same wrap around services as Wegovy (semaglutide), so that patients are supported to make the changes needed for the medication to be most effective.

Black Country ICB knows there are many patients eligible for this medication who would like to be able to access this as soon as possible.

However, this medication will be made available in phases over a number of years. We ask that you are patient with us whilst we wait for further communication from NHS England on how Mounjaro will be rolled out and establish the best way to do so to meet our system’s needs.

We also ask that you do not contact your GP surgery to try and obtain Mounjaro for weight loss just yet. GP practices are incredibly busy at this time of year and the additional resource required to manage enquiries will mean they have less time to offer patient appointments.

We have also asked our GPs not to prescribe Mounjaro for weight loss at this time, whilst we work with clinical colleagues to develop options for the new service, including the training and education needed for these medications to be safely prescribed. We are also working with a range of experts from across the Black Country to strengthen our specialist weight management service for patients with more complex needs, which will prescribe weight management medication in future.

The ICB website has the latest ICB policy and FAQs for weight management published by NHS England, which may give you more information. 

We will continue to update our website to ensure that all our weight management information is in one place. Please check the website for the latest updates on weight management services rather than contacting your GP.

• From Friday 15 December, the national booking system, NHS App and 119 phone service will be closed for flu and COVID-19 vaccination booking.
• We encourage you to book now so you are protected in time for the winter holidays and whilst it is most convenient to book. After this date you can book a COVID-19 vaccination directly with a local vaccination service, such as a pharmacy or visit a walkin site. You can book a flu jab by contacting your GP surgery or find a pharmacy.

Please click on the link too; 

• check if you need a vaccine
• book a vaccine
• check your existing appointment details
• change your appointment
• cancel your appointment

People over 16 can now see new information added to their health record. This includes notes from appointments, test results, and letters. You can view this via the NHS App, NHS website, or another GP online app you use. If you don’t want to see your record, speak to your GP.

For more information click here

Here you can find leaflets, posters, workbooks, podcasts & short films on a range of physical and mental health issues aimed at people experiencing homelessness and those working to support them. All these guides have been produced alongside relevant professionals and people with experience of homelessness to ensure they are accurate, relevant and accessible. 

Resources Hub | Groundswell

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Advice - Route2Wellbeing

Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the government has confirmed that Monday 19th September will be a Bank Holiday.
 
This means many GP practices will be closed on Monday, reopening as normal on Tuesday 20 September.

To ensure patients can access primary care services during this time, appointments will be available from GP out of hours providers for those who need urgent medical help.  

If you need an appointment, please contact NHS 111 online www.111.nhs.uk or by dialling 111. 

You will be assessed by a clinician and offered a suitable appointment if required. This may be a video, telephone, or face-to-face appointment with a healthcare professional who will, with your consent, have access to your patient records..

Don’t forget, your local pharmacy can also provide confidential, expert advice and treatment for a range of minor illnesses. A number of pharmacies will be open across the bank holiday and you can search for your nearest one, here.

Bank holidays can mean that A&E could be particularly busy. If you’re feeling unwell but your condition is not life threatening, simply visit 111.nhs.uk. Enter your age, sex, postcode, and main symptom, and then you will be guided through a series of questions about your health problem.

To access the service via phone, dial 111 from any mobile or landline free of charge and you will be put through to an operator who will run through a few questions regarding your health problem to get you the right care.

For a medical emergency call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.

SURGERY CLOSURE

Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, there is to be an additional bank holiday.

As a mark of respect, this surgery will be closed all day on

Monday 19^th September 2022

Please ensure you order any medicines in a timely manner to allow for the extra day closing

Thank you from the

Staff of the Health Exchange

The aim of this campaign is to raise awareness of the key symptom of lung cancer – a cough that lasts for three weeks or more, and to encourage those who have this symptom to contact their GP practice.

The campaign targets adults over the age of 60, who are more at risk of lung cancer, also targets friends and family members to encourage loved ones to contact their GP practice if they are experiencing the key symptom of lung cancer.