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Welcome. In this issue, the following topics are covered:
- Doctors’ strike
- Choosing your pharmacy
- Measles alert
- Children’s vaccination clinic
- Protection for students
- Type 2 diabetes
- Can you feel your pulse?
- Love your lungs – community event
- RSV vaccine for older adults
- You’re pregnant. What next?
- Dial 111 for mental health
- Low mood workshop for ages 13 to 17
- Free football sessions for men’s mental health
- Free women’s exercise classes
- Free gym for young people
- Join the Stourbridge wellbeing walk
- Enjoy the sunshine safely
- Stay safe around water
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Resident doctors will be on strike from 7am Monday 15 June until 7am Friday 19 June. Some NHS services will be affected.
During the strike all other NHS staff (including consultants) will still be working, GP practices will remain open and the focus of the NHS will be on ensuring as many services as possible continue to operate safely.
Advice from the NHS is that you will be contacted if your appointment needs to be changed.
Please continue to come forward for the care you need.
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Did you know you can have your prescription sent electronically to a pharmacy of your choice?
Once you choose a pharmacy:
- You'll no longer need to collect paper prescriptions from your GP surgery
- Your chosen pharmacy will receive your prescriptions until you change or remove it
You can choose a local pharmacy by using the NHS App, or logging into the NHS website.
Alternatively, you can contact your GP practice to update this for you.
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If you or someone you care for has been affected by cancer, support is available. Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust is hosting a cancer information and support event at Kingswinford Community Centre.
You’ll be able to speak to health professionals, including specialist nurses, and get advice on topics such as different cancers, treatment side effects, financial support, exercise and nutrition.
The event takes place Tuesday 7 July, 10am–midday. You can drop in or book a place.
To find out more, contact the Living With and Beyond Cancer Team on 01384 456111 ext 5315 or email dgft.lwbcteam@nhs.net.
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Measles cases are rising across the UK, and it’s not only children that are affected. Adults without two doses of the MMR vaccine are at risk. Protect yourself by checking your vaccination records using the NHS App or by contacting your GP. If you haven't had two doses, contact your GP for a free, lifelong-protection catch-up jab.
Watch this video, featuring Tams, a prevention infection and control nurse, explaining how measles can affect people of any age.
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Parents and carers in Dudley are encouraged to check their child’s vaccination record and catch up on any missed doses. Local clinics are available, making it simple to get children protected against serious illnesses. This is especially important for children who are due to start school.
Vaccinations on offer include:
Appointments are required, so if you’d like your child to be protected, contact the clinic to book.
The next Dudley borough catch-up clinic is: Saturday 13 June, 9am–1.30pm Oakfield Community Centre, 245 Brettell Lane, Brierley Hill
📧 dudley@vaccinationuk.co.uk 📞 01384 431 712
Booking an appointment is a quick step that can help keep your child and others protected.
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Do you have a young person who will be going to university or college for the first time this year? Have they had the MenACWY vaccine? If not, it is strongly recommended.
The MenACWY vaccine is routinely offered to teenagers in school years nine and 10. The vaccine helps protect against four different causes of meningitis and septicaemia.
Anyone who missed having the vaccine at school, can ask a GP for it until their 25th birthday.
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Check your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, by using the Diabetes UK Know Your Risk tool.
You can reduce your risk by eating a healthy, balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight and keeping physically active.
People living with diabetes face a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, foot problems, vision loss and kidney problems.
Some groups are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, including people of South Asian or Black ethnicity, people who are overweight or living with obesity, people with a family history of type 2 diabetes and women with a history of gestational diabetes.
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An irregular pulse isn’t something to ignore. It could be a sign of a heart condition that increases your risk of stroke or serious heart problems.
The good news is that you can take control. Checking your pulse regularly is quick, easy, and could help spot problems early – when they’re most treatable.
👉 Pop into your local pharmacy for a free blood pressure and pulse check.
👉 If you’re 40 or over, don’t forget your free NHS Health Check every five years.
It only takes a minute to check your pulse – and it could make a life‑saving difference.
Find out how to check your pulse on the Healthy Dudley website.
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Dudley residents are invited to a free “Love Your Lungs” drop-in event on Thursday 2 July, 10.30am–1.30pm at the DY1 building, Stafford Street, in Dudley.
Meet the respiratory team, get practical advice and take part in activities like tai chi, singing, breathing exercises and relaxation. Open to anyone living with a lung condition, caring for someone, or simply wanting to learn more.
👉 Drop in for any or all sessions.
For further information email Jessica.colley@nhs.net or phone 07854 845052.
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All adults aged 75 and over, or living in a care home for older adults, can now protect themselves against a serious lung infection and get the RSV vaccine.
If you are newly eligible or are still yet to come forwards, don’t delay and book your free NHS vaccination in with your GP.
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When you know you are pregnant, unless you have health concerns, you don’t need to see your GP. Instead, you should self-refer yourself to have your maternity blood tests at the hospital.
Your first appointment with your midwife should happen before you are 10 weeks pregnant.
Find out everything you need to know, including what health support you will receive during pregnancy and how to keep you and your growing baby healthy, on the Healthy Dudley website.
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Do you need urgent help for your mental health?
If you are experiencing significant emotional or mental distress, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option for 24/7 advice and support.
Other sources of support include:
The Samaritans: 116 123 24 hours / 365 days - www.samaritans.org
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) for men: 0800 58 58 58 -www.thecalmzone.net
Papyrus for people under 35: 0800 068 41 41 9am to midnight / 365 days -www.papyrus-uk.org
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Feeling low, unmotivated or not quite yourself? A free Support with Low Mood Workshop is available for young people aged 13–17.
The session will explore simple, practical ways to boost mood and build wellbeing, with tools you can use every day.
Cranstoun Routes, Merry Hill Shopping Centre (Unit L14, DY5 1QX)
Friday 1 July 2026
12pm–1pm
The workshop is delivered by Reflexions, Cranstoun and Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
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Looking to get active, feel better and connect with others? The Mind Collective programme is offering free weekly men’s football sessions designed to support positive mental wellbeing in a relaxed, judgement-free environment.
Open to anyone aged 18+, the sessions welcome all abilities - whether you’re returning to football or trying it for the first time. Alongside the sessions, participants can access ongoing mental health support.
Sessions run Mondays, 8–9pm at Ellowes Hall School (DY3 2JH).
To find out more or get involved, contact via WhatsApp on 07472 322245.
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Do you love working out with others? Our free 30-minute women-only strength-building classes are here for you. Stronger For Longer runs on Saturday mornings at park activity centres for women aged 40–55.
The classes are aimed at supporting bone health, boosting confidence and having fun.
No need to book – just turn up.
Note – there is a new, earlier, time at the Huntingtree Park Activity Centre in Halesowen – now 10.15 to 10.45am.
Do you prefer to exercise at home?
No problem. Follow the exercise routines on the Healthy Dudley website
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Young people aged 11 to 16 in the Dudley borough are being offered Phases - a free 12-week gym-based programme. Sessions take place on Saturday mornings at Action Heart Gym, Russell’s Hall Hospital, led by qualified instructors.
To join, young people must live, study, or be registered with a GP in Dudley and currently be inactive (doing less than 30 minutes of activity a day), or be classed as overweight.
How to book: Ask your GP or school nurse for a referral, or contact Phases directly at dgft.phases@nhs.net.
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Get active and enjoy the outdoors with the Stourbridge Wellbeing Walk - a friendly monthly walk along the beautiful canal. There’s now a new meeting point outside the Red House Glass Cone on High Street.
Walks take place on the first Monday of each month, starting at 10am and lasting around one hour. There’s no need to book - just turn up. Afterwards, you’re welcome to join others for a drink at the café.
Upcoming dates include 6 July, 3 August, 7 September, 5 October, 2 November and 7 December.
For more information, contact Peter Taylor on 0795 608 3801.
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It may be cold and rainy today, but we’re all hoping for a long, sunny summer. While warmer weather is something many of us look forward to, it’s important to remember that hot spells can bring health risks.
Whether you’re out enjoying our parks, travelling around the borough, or relaxing at home, taking a few simple steps can help you stay safe in the heat.
Top tips for staying well in hot weather
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Stay hydrated – carry water with you and drink regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
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Protect your skin – wear sunscreen, seek shade during the hottest part of the day (usually 11am–3pm), and cover up with light clothing. See this video from a Black Country GP, Dr Mandiratta, with guidance on applying sunscreen.
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Keep cool indoors – close curtains in sunny rooms and make sure you have plenty of ventilation.
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Plan ahead when travelling – take water with you and avoid overcrowded or very hot spaces where possible.
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Check on others – young children, older people, and those with health conditions may find it harder to cope with the heat.
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When the weather is warm it can be tempting to cool off in rivers, canals, lakes or reservoirs. We want everyone to enjoy the sunshine safely – especially our younger residents.
If you’re heading out with family or friends, please keep these simple tips in mind and share them with your children too:
- The water might look inviting, but it’s often much colder than you expect – cold water shock can be dangerous. If you must go in, enter the water slowly
- Try not to go alone – being with others can make a big difference in an emergency
- If there’s no lifeguard, it’s best to stay out of the water
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