NHS Birmingham and Solihull

28/08/2026

Need health advice this Bank Holiday weekend? 🏥

If it’s not an emergency, there are two easy ways to get help quickly:

1) If you’re not sure where to go, visit 111.nhs.uk. They are available 24/7 to direct you to the right care.

2) Think Pharmacy First. For minor health concerns like sinusitis, shingles or impetigo, head to your local pharmacy. They can provide professional advice and medicine without you needing to see a GP first.

📍 Find your local pharmacy opening hours here: www.england.nhs.uk/midlands/nhs-england-and-nhs-improvement-midlands-work/bank-holiday-pharmacy-opening-times

25/08/2026

What does recovery actually look like in everyday life?

We recently visited MoveWell at the University of Birmingham to chat with local residents about how tailored exercise and physio support are helping them rebuild confidence after illness, surgery, or injury.

MoveWell supports people living with a wide range of needs, from joint pain and arthritis to recovery after heart surgery, stroke, or cancer treatment. The programme is there to help everyone find a safe way to stay active.

People shared that the true value of the service isn't about gym targets but the everyday victories that bring independence, joy, and confidence back into daily life: taking the stairs rather than the lift at the train station, tending to allotments and carrying heavy watering cans with ease, feeling strong enough to keep up with young grandchildren or dancing pain-free at a family wedding!

Many participants spoke about how daunting traditional gyms felt after an injury, surgery, or major diagnosis, and how easy it was to lose confidence. MoveWell provides a welcoming space with specialist physio guidance and state-of-the-art equipment, but the real magic comes from the participants themselves. By encouraging each other, swapping experiences, and building up their physical capabilities step-by-step, members are regaining control over their health, reducing pain, and supporting one another along the way.

University of Birmingham

18/08/2026

Our Birmingham, Black Country and Solihull double decker bus will be touring in September - raising awareness of the importance of cancer screening and giving our citizens access to free health checks 🚍

Find out where the bus will be located and the services available via the link in the comments 🔗

16/08/2026

Stourbridge Return to Home Update – Sunday 16 August Following continued efforts since Thursday afternoon, West Midlands Fire Service and partner agencies are now in a position to further update all residents whose homes have been affected in the cordon...

16/08/2026

‼️ Stourbridge Return to Home Update - Sunday 16 August

‼️ Stourbridge Return to Home Update - Sunday 16 August
Following continued efforts since Thursday afternoon, we can further update all residents whose homes have been affected
We are asking residents, and residents ONLY, to follow the instructions below
No specific information will be given over the phone, social media, email or any other method other than in person. DO NOT call 999 for details, Fire Control will not be able to provide them
📣 Who should come to the meeting point
We have been able to significantly lift the cordons in the area
If your road is NOT listed below, you can return to your home. You do not need to attend Stourbridge Golf Club for confirmation
Residents from these roads should follow the instructions below:
-Brunswick Avenue
-Landsgate
-Ounty John Lane
-Quarry Park Road
-Racecourse Lane
📣 What you need to do
Where possible, bring proof of address with you, for example: driving license, physical or electronic copy of proof of address (e.g. Council Tax Bill, car or home insurance, utility bills, financial statements) from within the last 12 months
Head to Stourbridge Golf Club, via Worcester Lane. You can access the Golf Club via Worcester Lane and Redlake Road. However, please be aware that you will not be able to drive down Racecourse Lane. Identify yourself to emergency services personnel on scene
📣 What happens next
An emergency services officer will outline to you if you can return to your property, if further assessment needs to be made to let you into your property (in which case someone from the emergency service or council will accompany you), or if you cannot currently return to your property. If your property has been damaged or destroyed by fire, we will inform you
We request that you bring as few people as possible to the meeting point. You must follow all instructions given by emergency services personnel on scene. We understand that this has been an extremely difficult and distressing time, and they are there to help you. They have been working hard on the scene to provide this update since Thursday and are there to help, however abuse or poor behaviour will not be tolerated

16/08/2026

Update from West Midlands Fire Service on Stourbridge incident, please read if you have been affected by the fire.

‼️ Stourbridge Major Incident
We have restarted our process to support residents back to their homes
We are asking residents, and residents ONLY, to follow the instructions below. If you are not a resident you will be asked to leave
No specific information will be given over the phone, social media, email or any other method other than in person
DO NOT call 999 for details, we will not be able to provide them
📣 What you need to do
Where possible, bring proof of address with you, for example: driving license, physical or electronic copy of proof of address (e.g. Council Tax Bill, car or home insurance, utility bills, financial statements) from within the last 12 months
UPDATE 1030 16/8/26: Head to STOURBRIDGE GOLF CLUB, via Worcester Lane from Hagley Road. You will not be able to access this point if heading from Redlake Road/Racecourse Lane, and you will not be able to drive down Racecourse Lane.
Identify yourself as a resident to West Midlands Fire Service or West Midlands Police at the meeting point
📣 What happens next
An emergency services officer will outline to you if you can return to your property, if further assessment needs to be made to let you into your property (in which case someone from the emergency service or council will accompany you), or if you cannot currently return to your property. If your property has been damaged or destroyed by fire, we will inform you
We request that you bring as few people as possible to the meeting point. You must follow all instructions given by emergency services personnel on scene. We understand that this has been an extremely difficult and distressing time, and they are there to help you. They have been working hard on the scene to provide this update since Thursday and are there to help, however abuse or poor behaviour will not be tolerated
📣 Who should come to the meeting point
Residents from these roads should attend:
- Brunswick Gate
- Landsgate
- Ounty John Lane
- Quarry Park Road
- Racecourse Lane
📣 If you are allowed home
National Grid and Cadent have returned power and gas supplies to most residences, but are available if once residents return home if you do not have electricity or gas

15/08/2026

An update from the chief executive Balvinder Heran

15/08/2026

Please read the latest update from West Midlands Fire Service if you have been affected by the Stourbridge fire.

‼️ Stourbridge Major Incident

***UPDATE***

The meeting point will close at 2200 Saturday 15 August, and reopen 0800 Sunday 16 August. Thank you.

We can now update residents whose homes have been affected.
We are asking residents, and residents ONLY, to follow the instructions below. If you are not a resident you will be asked to leave
No specific information will be given over the phone, social media, email or any other method other than in person
DO NOT call 999 for details, we will not be able to provide them

📣 What you need to do

Where possible, bring proof of address with you, for example: driving license, physical or electronic copy of proof of address (e.g. Council Tax Bill, car or home insurance, utility bills, financial statements) from within the last 12 months
Go to the turn of Worcester Lane/Pedmore Court Road from Hagley Road (https://wmfs.link/4gxYQJs). A fire vehicle will be there. You will NOT be able to access this point if heading from Redlake Road/Racecourse Lane. What3words: town.face.double
Identify yourself as a resident to West Midlands Fire Service or West Midlands Police at the meeting point

📣 What happens next
An emergency services officer will outline to you if you can return to your property, if further assessment needs to be made to let you into your property (in which case someone from the emergency service or council will accompany you), or if you cannot currently return to your property. If your property has been damaged or destroyed by fire, we will inform you

We request that you bring as few people as possible to the meeting point. You must follow all instructions given by emergency services personnel on scene. We understand that this has been an extremely difficult and distressing time, and they are there to help you. They have been working hard on the scene to provide this update since Thursday and are there to help, however abuse or poor behaviour will not be tolerated

📣 Who should come to the meeting point
Residents from these roads should attend:
- Brunswick Gate
- Landsgate
- Ounty John Lane
- Quarry Park Road
- Racecourse Lane

📣 If you are allowed home
National Grid and Cadent have returned power and gas supplies to most residences, but are available if once residents return home if you do not have electricity or gas

15/08/2026

Residents affected by the Norton, Stourbridge fire are invited to attend daily online briefings hosted by Dudley Council from today (Sat 15 Aug).
📅 Daily from today
⏰ 2pm
The sessions will provide updates on the incident and an opportunity for residents to ask questions.
If you can't get online please come along to Stourbridge Town Hall at 1.45pm for a 2pm start today where the meeting will be live streamed.
Details how to join will be posted close to 2pm here https://www.dudley.gov.uk/norton-fire-residents-daily-briefing on and our social media channels

14/08/2026

Exceptionally helpful video here from our colleagues The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust and Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust. Thank you 💙