Back to school: don’t forget vaccinations

As children get ready to head back to the classroom, it’s the perfect time for parents and carers in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to make sure they’re protected from preventable illnesses. Alongside school shoes and stationery,…

Guidance for education settings responding to a sudden…

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System (ICS) has published a new guidance document to support heads, principals and safeguarding leads of schools, colleges and education settings across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent around the immediate processes involved…

Make health part of your holiday plans: check…

With the summer holidays just around the corner, families across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are getting ready for well-earned breaks. Whether you’re staying in the UK or heading abroad, local health experts are reminding parents to…

Don’t miss the chance to have your say…

Includes video content Health leaders are urging people to have their say in the final weeks of a consultation on the future of birthing services in Stafford and Lichfield. Around 800 responses have so far…

Share your feedback on NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent…

The NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent (SSoT) Wheelchair Service is for children, young people and adults of all ages, who have a physical and/or degenerative long-term condition expected to last six months or more, or are…

Streeting: 10 Year Health Plan empowers patients

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting has outlined how the 10 Year Health Plan brings services closer to patients. The plan, published on the government’s website, sets a new course for…

NHS partners join forces to celebrate Stoke-on-Trent Pride…

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System (ICS) NHS partners recently came together to attend and celebrate Stoke-on-Trent Pride 2025 at Hanley Park. The event attracted thousands of visitors from across the local area and further…

Updated Care Home Resource Pack now available for…

A resource pack to further support care homes and care staff in recognising and responding to deterioration in their residents has been published by Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System (ICS).  Developed by health and…

Diabetes Week 2025 – spaces available on type…

Spaces are available on a successful programme running across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent which supports people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes on their path to remission. The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) is supporting…

Meetings approach to let people have their say…

A series of meetings are approaching that will give everyone a chance to have their say on the future of freestanding midwife-led birthing services in Stafford and Lichfield.  A public consultation launched on 12 May…

ICB to take part in free dementia services…

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) is participating in a free dementia services showcase event in Stoke-on-Trent on Wednesday 21 May 2025 as part of Dementia Action Week (19 – 25 May 2025). Local…

Public consultation on the future of freestanding midwife-led…

A public consultation is launching today (Mon 12 May) to gather views on the future of birthing services at the freestanding midwife-led birthing units (FMBUs) in Stafford and Lichfield. Birthing services at the current FMBUs…

“…Tell me, what is it you plan to…

This blog includes content related to death and grief. “…Tell me, what is it you plan to dowith your one wild and precious life?” [Extract of The Summer Day, by Mary Oliver] This line from…

New All-Age Palliative and End of Life Care…

A new strategy to improve palliative and end of life care for communities across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent has been launched by Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB). The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System…

New All-Age Palliative and End of Life Care,…

Three new strategies to improve palliative and end of life, respiratory, and healthy ageing and frailty care for communities across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent have been launched by Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB). The…

Sunshine and self-care: NHS urges residents to prepare…

With the Early May Bank Holiday on Monday 5 May fast approaching and warm and sunny weather on the cards, the NHS in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent is encouraging local residents to plan ahead, take simple…

What’s your vaccine status?

Today marks the beginning of World Immunisation Week (24-30 April 2025) and the NHS in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent is asking ‘what’s your vaccine status?’ – encouraging you to check if you and your family is…

New finance lead joins NHS in Staffordshire and…

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board has appointed a new interim Chief Finance Officer. Claire Finn will join the ICB board in June following completion of all HR processes and brings with her more than…

Spring COVID-19 vaccination programme launches in Staffordshire and…

The NHS in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent is ready to protect the most vulnerable in our community by launching its COVID-19 vaccination programme this spring. If you’re aged 75 and over, have a weakened immune system,…

This Easter you can get all the help…

Community pharmacists can now give treatment and advice for a range of conditions, meaning you don’t need a GP appointment to get the help you need. So this Easter bank holiday if you or a…

Stock up this Easter and avoid the bank…

As the Easter bank holiday is just around the corner, the NHS is urging you to be prepared. There’s a few steps you can take in advance to ensure you have the right healthcare advice…

All Aboard the Cancer Awareness Bus: Bringing Life-Saving…

Residents across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are invited to visit the Cancer Bus as it makes its way through 15 different towns, offering vital information, free health checks, and friendly conversations about cancer. The Cancer Bus…

Cancer Bus Tour

The cancer bus is coming to a town near you! Travelling to 15 different towns across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, we are inviting you to come and chat to us about cancer. You can find out…

New health and care careers podcast launched by…

A new health and care careers podcast, which looks at the different entry routes into careers within Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System (ICS), has been launched this week. The first episode of the ‘Journey…

International Executive Joins NHS in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent

A former executive for one of the world’s leading tyre companies has joined Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board as a non-executive board member. Mike Lawton, who has substantial experience in global business transformation, commercial…

Workers in adult care sector to get the…

People in need of care across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are set to benefit from a new platform that will support those working in the care sector to be the best that they can be. The…

Chief Executive and Chief Finance Officer announcement

From David Pearson MBE, ICB Chair It is with sadness that I announce that Peter Axon has informed the Board of his intention to leave Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB), after more than…

Share your views on adult mental health services…

Residents are being asked to share their experiences and views on adult mental health services across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to inform the delivery of the new Adult Mental Health Inpatient Services strategy for 2024 –…

Libraries now offering people support to use NHS…

People who need that little bit of extra help to download and register on the NHS App can now do so at a library in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. The support is available at eight Staffordshire…

ICS Health and Care People Team named as…

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System’s (ICS) Health and Care People Outreach Team has been named as a finalist in the forthcoming The Learning Awards 2025. The ICS Outreach team partnered with AmityHub, a Newcastle-under-Lyme…

Super bodies can help children fight off illnesses…

As children return to schools and nurseries after the Christmas break, common winter illnesses that often start circulating at this time of year are set to rise. But children’s Super Bodies rather than antibiotics or…

Protect yourself and your loved ones: Winter viruses…

The NHS in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent is urging residents to take action against the increasing threat of winter viruses, as Covid-19, flu, and RSV cases are on the rise. Matthew Missen, Public Health Consultant at…

Fire and Rescue Service celebrates anniversary of falls…

We are celebrating the anniversary of two of our vital teams which have relieved pressure on the NHS and supported over 3,500 vulnerable people. Our falls response team attend non-injury falls to relieve pressure on…

Extra GP appointments to support Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent…

Extra appointments are being made available across general practice to support patient access this winter in the form of Primary Care Winter Hubs.  These hubs are designed to provide access for patients who need a…

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Join antibiotic amnesty for World…

This World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week, healthcare leaders across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are asking residents to join an ‘antibiotic amnesty’ by returning any unused antibiotics to their local pharmacy. This important step will help keep…

World Diabetes Day – spaces available on type…

Spaces are available on a successful programme running across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent which supports people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes on their path to remission. The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) is supporting…

Chief pharmacist reveals her flu misery because she…

One of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent’s most senior pharmacists has revealed how she succumbed to over four months of illness because she was “too busy” to get a flu jab.  Now Tania Cork is urging anyone…

New survey seeks feedback on adult mental health…

Residents are being asked to share their experiences and views on adult mental health services across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to inform the delivery of the new Adult Mental Health Inpatient Services strategy for 2024 – 2027 from…

Government launches ‘Change NHS’ conversation

The government has started a national conversation about the future of the NHS. A new online platform, change.nhs.uk, has been created to collect views and ideas from the public, NHS staff and organisations to help…

Share your views to improve respiratory, healthy ageing…

Residents are being asked to share their views on three key aspects of healthcare to help shape new strategies from Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) that will be launched in 2025. Residents are…

New vaccine offers protection against common winter virus

This year a new vaccine will give vulnerable people protection against another common winter virus that can cause serious health complications, for the first time. People can now have vaccination defence against Respiratory Syncytial Virus…

Prostate Cancer Awareness – Coming forward could save…

As we continue to emphasise the importance of early cancer detection, men across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are being reminded to take charge of their health and come forward if they have symptoms of prostate cancer,…

Marking World Oral Contraception Day: Pharmacy Oral Contraception…

As we celebrate World Oral Contraception Day on 26 September, residents in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent can now skip the GP visit and get a prescription for oral contraception directly from their local pharmacist. Thanks to…

Extra events give people more chance to have…

More local events have been organised to help people from across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent discuss their views on urgent care.  They are part of an exercise to gather views on local urgent and emergency care…

ICON Week 2024 – Raising Awareness About Infant…

“Babies cry, you can cope!” This September, NHS, local authorities, and healthcare organisations across the country are uniting to deliver crucial messages to parents through ICON Week 2024. Research indicates that some parents and carers…

Junior doctors accept pay offer

Junior doctors in England have accepted the government’s pay offer, with 66% voting in favour of the deal. Members of the British Medical Association (BMA) supported the offer of a 22.3% pay uplift on average…

111 offers urgent mental health support for people…

Anyone across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent can now get urgent mental health support, 24/7, by calling 111 and selecting the mental health option. The new service, which has been rolled out across England, means that trained…

You are invited to join the online AGM…

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board is coming together virtually on Thursday 26 September 2024 (4-6pm) to host their Annual General Meeting. All are welcome to attend and people are asked to please register in…

Prepare for the August Bank Holiday: Key Advice…

With the August Bank Holiday fast approaching, we are asking residents to plan ahead to ensure they have their healthcare essentials ready for Monday, August 26th. Some GP practices and pharmacies will have reduced opening…

AI funding boost for prescription deliveries

The government has announced £32million of funding for 98 AI projects, including the use of AI algorithms to make prescription deliveries more efficient. A project led by Nottingham-based Anteam will receive some of the funding…

Get involved with improving urgent and emergency care…

Residents are being asked to share their views about urgent and emergency care as Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent plan for the introduction of urgent treatment centres (UTCs). UTCs will offer help to people with urgent needs…

Local Charity gets Accreditation and Recognition for High-Quality…

Praised for its ability to “challenge the status quo to bring about improvements,” the Stoke-on-Trent-based charity’s leadership and representation has led to national recognition. VAST, the voluntary sector’s local infrastructure organisation (LIO) for Stoke-on-Trent and…

Whooping cough vaccine uptake encouraged in pregnant women

As the number of whooping cough (pertussis) cases across the country increases, pregnant women in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are being urged to make sure they protect their babies, and themselves, through vaccination. Pregnant women are…

Three weeks left to get spring Covid booster…

With only a few weeks left of this year’s spring covid vaccine programme, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) is urging all eligible people who haven’t yet had their top-up to come forward and…

Infected Blood Inquiry Report – advice for patients

The Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry, Sir Brian Langstaff, has published his report following an independent public statutory Inquiry established to examine the circumstances in which men, women and children treated by national health…

Public Conversation – Your Adult Mental Health Services…

The NHS in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent has been working with local patients, staff, interested groups and partners to understand how mental health services could be designed and is launching a series of public conversations to…

DHU Healthcare Delivers NHS 111 Service for the…

Community Interest Company (CIC) DHU Healthcare is now responsible for delivering NHS 111 services for people across the Midlands. The move to a larger, regional NHS 111 provision to cover the whole of the Midlands…

New benefits management process introduced to support One…

One Health and Care (OHC) is a centralised electronic shared care record that contains patients’ health information. It allows multiple health providers across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to access and update the same information. OHC helps…

Get ready for the May Bank Holidays across…

Residents of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are encouraged to ensure medical care and repeat prescriptions are included in their plans for the two May Bank Holidays. During these busy bank holiday periods, GP practices will be…

NHS urges parents in the Midlands to get…

This World Immunisation Week health leaders in the Midlands are urging parents and carers to check their children are up to date with their essential childhood vaccinations, and book any that have been missed. Essential,…

Important information about Gordon Street Surgery, Burton 

Gordon Street Surgery is currently run by the East Staffordshire Primary Care Partnership, which has been providing GP services to patients on a temporary basis since May 2024. The Integrated Care Board (ICB) needs to…

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System incorporates Docobo’s…

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System has incorporated Docobo’s remote monitoring capability into its One Health and Care (OHC) platform. This will enable clinicians to access data about patients registered at any GP practice in…

SEND Inspection report

New report praises ‘determination’ to support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities but says more work to be done City and NHS leaders have welcomed findings from a SEND area inspection…

Don’t suffer in silence with Long Covid, there…

People who are experiencing a variety of persistent symptoms are being advised to check whether they have Long Covid.  Covid is still circulating within the community, and while most people get better reasonably quickly, for…

Sexual Safety Organisational Charter

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board has signed up to NHS England’s first ever sexual safety organisational charter. The charter – the first of its kind – was launched last September in collaboration with key…

Increase in measles infections prompts vaccine call

Five ‘pop-up’ MMR vaccination clinics have been organised in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire in response to rising cases of measles. Outbreaks of measles have been reported across the country and people who are not vaccinated, are…

Prepare for a Happy, Healthy Easter Bank Holiday…

As the Easter Bank Holiday weekend approaches from March 29 to April 1st, the NHS is urging patients to make sure they’re all set with their medical care plan. Just as with other holiday periods,…

Volunteers in Stoke-on-Trent are returning to help NHS…

Over the coming weeks, hundreds of participants in Stoke-on-Trent who enrolled on the NHS-Galleri trial in 2022 will be returning to the mobile clinic for their last of three appointments for the trial. Participants will…

Working together to support safer sleeping for babies

Parents across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are being advised that sharing a bed with your baby may be unsafe. According to the Office of National Statistics, approximately three babies every week in the UK pass away…

1130 West Midlands NHS Pharmacies Begin Treating People…

Patients in the West Midlands will be able to get treatment for seven common conditions at their high street pharmacy from today without needing to see a GP, as part of a major transformation in…

Protect your children from measles – as cases…

Listen to our Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB podcast to hear Mathew Missen discuss more about measles and the MMR vaccine. Measles is a viral infection that can spread very quickly among people who have not had…

New advice line to make life easier for…

A new phone line and increase of specialist clinicians will make it easier for patients, relatives and health care professionals to access palliative and end of life care advice across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. The new…

Strategy to help people with autism life their…

The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board have been working with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, and people with lived experience of autism, to develop a new strategy designed to help autistic people in the city to…

Fire stations to host Covid-19 vaccination clinics for…

Covid-19 vaccination clinics specifically designed for people with learning disabilities and autism are taking place at fire stations across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent in January. The special clinics – which are taking place in fully accessible…

NHS agrees plans for the future of inpatient…

The NHS body responsible for the health and care of the 1.2 million people across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, has agreed to accept recommendations on two programmes of work. These relate to inpatient mental health services…

PM responses about Health and Social Care during…

The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has today (Tuesday 19 December) been answering questions from the Liaison Committee. The Liaison Committee is made up of Select Committee Chairs and considers the overall work of select committees,…

Success for East Staffordshire Primary Care Network at…

East Staffordshire Primary Care Network (PCN) are celebrating after picking up the ‘Embedding Research Award’, at this years’ Clinical Research Network Awards. Taking place at Grand Central in Wolverhampton, the awards recognise and celebrate the…

NHS to make decisions on future of inpatient…

The NHS body responsible for the health and care of the 1.2 million people across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent is due to make decisions on two key programmes of work next week (21 December) following a…

The House of Lords Committee on Integration of…

The House of Lords Committee on Integration of Primary and Community Care has published its report. Conclusions: Recommendations:

Flu and Covid-19 vaccinations available for residents at…

As winter approaches, Community Lounges are opening their doors in Stoke-on-Trent to offer a safe and warm space for local residents. Community Lounges offer advice and support for individuals and families on mental health and…

Ensuring well-being in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent this winter:…

The festive season is here, and while we all hope to have a good time, it’s useful to have a health and well-being checklist to make sure you stay well over Christmas and the New…

Extra GP appointments to support Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent…

Extra appointments are being made available across primary care to support patient access this winter. The enhanced offer means that around 5,000 additional appointments are available every week through GP practices across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.…

Vaccination clinics open ahead of Christmas to protect…

Throughout December, parents and carers in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are being urged to make sure their children are protected against flu. The School Age Immunisation Service (SAIS), who are the primary provider of immunisations within…

Covid-19 vaccination clinics open over the festive period…

With the festive season fast approaching, parents and carers in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are being urged to ensure children who are more at-risk get their Covid-19 vaccination. Open to 5–15-year-olds who are considered to be…

Last Day to book Covid-19 and flu vaccines…

To get ahead of the festive rush, residents in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are being reminded that the deadline to book their final flu and Covid-19 of the year via the National Booking System is just…

Discover the power of small changes

Everyone with a learning disability, autism, or both, deserves to live longer, healthier and more independent lives. The ICB have launched a ‘Small Changes’ campaign to support people in making small changes that will ultimately…

New service makes it even easier to access…

There’s now a new and easy way for people in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to get help with hearing issues through the NHS. If eligible, they can even refer themselves to NHS audiology (hearing) services without…

No appointment needed at Covid jab walk-in clinics

Fire stations, supermarkets, a library and a cricket club – just some of the places you can get a Covid-19 vaccination this month in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. In addition to pharmacies and GP practices, the…

‘Pharmacy First’ contraceptive service launches in December

Thousands of women in England will be able to get the contraceptive pill at their local pharmacy from next month. Pharmacies across the country will offer the new contraceptive service from December, with almost half…

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent patients can now access their…

More patients in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent can now access their medical records online than almost anywhere else in the country. Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent now lead the country in online patient record access, with over 97…

Atkins appointed Health Secretary in cabinet reshuffle

Victoria Atkins has been appointed Health and Social Care Secretary as part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s cabinet reshuffle. Ms Atkins, MP for Louth and Horncastle, takes over from Steve Barclay, who is the new…

AI to speed up lung cancer diagnosis in…

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help clinicians diagnose lung cancer quickly and accurately will be rolled out across England. The Government has announced £21m of funding to support AI tools being deployed in 64 NHS…

MPFT need your support to develop NHS health…

Please help MPFT by completing this brief survey, which will close 16th November 2023. MPFT are buying an NHS health research bus to make it easier for people to take part in health and care…

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System (ICS) shortlisted…

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System (ICS) has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award. The ICS has been shortlisted for the ‘Governance Project of the Year’ at the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland…

NHS in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent top for winter…

The NHS in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent has delivered more Covid-19 vaccinations than anywhere else in the Midlands. Just five weeks into the latest Covid-19 vaccination programme, more than 180,000 local people have come forward for…

Local NHS to set up health advice line…

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent health leaders have responded to public concerns around recent news of data reporting at the Walleys Quarry site by setting up a resident’s health advice line. Odours from the Walleys Quarry landfill…

Walleys Quarry Landfill: hydrogen sulphide monitoring

Joint statement from Staffordshire County Council Public Health, UK Health Security Agency and Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board On 5 October 2023, the Environment Agency published concerns about the accuracy of their hydrogen sulphide…

Campaign aims to make sure people get to…

Contains video and audio content A campaign is underway to help people understand why they may be offered an appointment with an alternative health professional to a GP.  There are a number of different health…

Bentilee grandad urges others to have targeted lung…

When ex-smoker Jeffrey Crompton went for a lung health check he thought nothing was wrong but within 10 days he was having surgery to remove lung cancer. The 68-year-old was contacted as part of a…