Residents, volunteers and staff from across the Black Country attended a special workshop last week to have their say on how the health and care sector should engage with local people.

The workshop saw more than 100 people – including health and care staff from the NHS and local authorities, community and voluntary sector partners, and patient and public representatives – come together to help produce an engagement approach for the new Black Country Integrated Care System (ICS), launching on 1 July.

The incoming leaders of the new ICS are keen to develop an approach that is inclusive and reflective of the diverse communities in the Black Country, and this workshop is the second in a series of three that are being held to seek input from local people and partners.

The workshop was hosted at The Hawthorns Stadium in West Bromwich, but attendees also had the option to join the event virtually via Microsoft Teams, making it easier for more people to take part.

Attendees were given the opportunity to discuss the engagement methods that work best for them and their communities, as well as sharing examples of good practice, all of which will be used to help underpin a future strategy for working with local people and communities.

Michael Salmon, Head of Insight, Health and Wellbeing at Active Black Country, attended the event. He said: “The workshop was one of the best types of this event that I've been to. My favourite part was speaking to a lady from a mental health charity who was concerned previously that she had no business being at an event like this, but realised half way through just how important her voice was as a contributor to health discussions. It shows it was pitched at the right audience.”

Mark Axcell, Interim Chief Executive Designate of the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “It was great to see so many people from diverse backgrounds and organisations join us for the workshop, to not only share their opinions but also contribute to our plans for a healthier future. 

“Our workshops are a great opportunity for local people to help shape and influence health and care services across the Black Country.

“Feedback from the day was really positive with many people commenting on how useful it was to have discussions with a mix of participants from different organisations, all with their own individual experience, knowledge and skills.”

For those who weren’t able to attend the workshop, there will be there will be a recap and opportunities to discuss new topics.

More information about how local people, groups and organisations can get involved in the work of the local NHS can be found here: https://www.blackcountryandwestbirmccg.nhs.uk/get-involved