Reports Hub

This report explores women’s experiences of menopause advice and treatment from GP practices in Solihull. It highlights inconsistent information, limited access to specialist support, and a lack of awareness among some healthcare professionals. Healthwatch Solihull will continue to work with NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB and other partners to raise awareness, improve service accessibility, and support the development of better menopause care across the area.

This report explores Solihull residents’ experiences of using community pharmacies following the launch of the Pharmacy First scheme in January 2024. While feedback was largely positive, key barriers included limited public awareness of services, low confidence in receptionist referrals, and concerns about privacy in consultation spaces. Healthwatch Solihull will monitor progress and continue working with NHS partners to support improvements and ensure services meet local needs.

This report explores patient experiences of the NHS prostate cancer pathway in Birmingham and Solihull, as detailed in Healthwatch Birmingham and Healthwatch Solihull’s 2023 report. It highlights concerns around communication, treatment delays, and post-treatment support. In response, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust introduced improvements to appointment access, needs assessments, and follow-up care. Healthwatch will continue working with the Trust and NHS partners to ensure these changes lead to lasting improvements for patients.

This report explores how the cost-of-living crisis has affected the health and wellbeing of people in Birmingham and Solihull. It highlights how financial pressures have made it harder for residents—particularly those on disability benefits—to afford essentials like prescriptions, dental care, and transport to NHS appointments. Many also relied on Warm Spaces to manage rising heating costs and social isolation.

Healthwatch will use its role on Health and Wellbeing Boards to hold leaders to account and ensure their commitments—particularly around isolation, food, warmth, and mental health—are delivered effectively in the coming winter.

“The Healthwatch Solihull report demonstrates the ongoing impact of the cost-of-living crisis for Solihull people… the findings of this report will be used to shape our local response through our Health and Wellbeing Strategy and our Prevention Strategy.”
— Ruth Tennant, Director of Public Health, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

This investigation examines the views of people in Solihull who have tried to access urgent care services.

This report examines the actions taken by local services to tackle the crisis in access to NHS dentistry.

Healthwatch Solihull explored what support is available from self-harm services and how it impacts
young people and their families.