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Patients across Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull are benefiting from investment to improve GP premises and make better use of existing buildings, helping to improve access to primary care services across local communities. Through the Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation Fund, 63 GP practices and 4 hospital trusts across the area have received investment to upgrade and reconfigure their buildings. In total, the programme has delivered 95 additional consulting and clinical rooms and is expected to support around 380,000 additional GP appointments each year. Schemes have been delivered across all local areas, including communities with higher levels of deprivation, helping to reduce health inequalities and improve access to care where it is needed most. By focusing on improving and reusing existing NHS buildings, the programme is also helping the NHS reduce its carbon footprint and move towards its net zero goals, by avoiding the need for new-build developments. The programme also supports the aims of the 10 Year Health Plan for England, including improving access to care closer to home, strengthening community-based services, and making better use of NHS resources so more care can be delivered outside of hospital where appropriate. A good example of this can be seen at Yardley Wood Health Centre in south Birmingham, where £98,000 of investment has allowed unused space to be turned into three new clinical rooms. The practice looks after around 11,000 patients and has 12 GPs. The extra rooms have increased appointment capacity from around 840 appointments per week to around 1,000, helping more patients be seen locally. The new rooms were officially opened during a visit by Al Carns MP, who met staff and patient representatives and saw the improvements first-hand. Sarb Basi, Deputy Chief Officer, Primary Care, Birmingham, Black Country and Solihull cluster ICBs said: "This programme shows how investing in existing GP buildings can make a real difference for patients. Across Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull, new clinical rooms are helping practices increase appointment capacity and improve access to care. It also supports the goals of the 10 Year Health Plan for England by offering more care in the local community rather than hospitals." Sophia Raja, Managing Partner at Yardley Wood Health Centre, said: "These new clinical rooms represent an important improvement for our patients, staff and wider community. By making better use of space within the health centre, we have created additional capacity that will help us improve access to care, support our multidisciplinary teams and enhance the experience of patients using our services. Increasing our capacity each week will make a meaningful difference for the people we serve." Al Carns MP said: "It was a pleasure to visit Yardley Wood Health Centre and see these improvements first-hand. The creation of these new clinical rooms will help strengthen local primary care services, improve access for patients and provide additional space for healthcare professionals to deliver care within the community. It is encouraging to see practical improvements that will make a real difference to local people." The Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation Fund support improvements to existing GP buildings so practices can increase capacity, improve patient experience, and make better use of NHS space.

Thousands more people across the West Midlands could benefit from earlier health checks and support to prevent serious illness as the region joins a new national programme focused on helping people stay healthier for longer. The West Midlands has been chosen as one of only five areas in England to become a Prevention Accelerator Site, bringing together the NHS, councils, community organisations and employers to help people identify health risks earlier and get support before problems become more serious. Many conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes can develop without obvious symptoms. Left untreated, they can lead to life-changing illnesses including heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease. The new programme will focus on helping more people access NHS Health Checks, understand their risk and get support to make positive changes to their health. Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Good health is fundamental to a good quality of life, yet across the West Midlands, too many people are living with preventable illnesses and nearly 160,000 people are out of work because of a health condition. “In piloting the Prevention Accelerator, we’re working with government, the NHS and local partners to identify risks earlier, prevent illness where we can, and help people stay healthier for longer. “This is about improving lives, reducing health inequalities, and creating healthier communities. That also means more people able to work, helping to strengthen our economy and reduce pressure on our public services.” David Melbourne, Chief Executive of the NHS Birmingham, Black Country and Solihull Integrated Care Board (ICB) cluster, said: "Many people feel completely well but are living with high blood pressure or other risk factors they don't know about. "A simple health check can identify problems early and give people the chance to make changes or receive treatment before serious illness develops. "We want people across the West Midlands to take up the opportunities available through NHS Health Checks and local prevention programmes. Knowing your numbers really can save your life." Simon Trickett, Chief Executive of NHS Coventry and Warwickshire ICB, said: “Helping people understand their health and identify potential risks earlier is key to ensuring they stay well for longer. “Initiatives such as NHS Health Checks play a vital role in this, and we want as many people as possible across the West Midlands to take up the opportunity to have one. “By improving access to these checks and other prevention support, this programme offers us an excellent opportunity to help people live healthier lives by encouraging them to take action sooner and get care when they need it.” Health leaders estimate that thousands of people across the region may be living with undiagnosed conditions that increase their risk of heart attack, stroke and other serious health problems. Over the coming months, NHS organisations, councils and community partners will work together to make it easier for residents to access advice, checks and support in places that are convenient and familiar to them, including neighbourhood settings, workplaces and community venues. Mike Wade, Regional Director of Public Health for NHS England in the West Midlands, said: "Prevention is about helping people live longer, healthier and more independent lives. "We want to make it as easy as possible for people to understand their health risks and access support in their local communities." People aged 40 to 74 who do not have a pre-existing health condition are invited for a free NHS Health Check every five years. Anyone who receives an invitation is encouraged to take up the offer. If you think you may be eligible for an NHS Health Check, please contact your GP practice. For more information about NHS Health Checks visit www.nhs.uk/healthcheck

With temperatures expected to rise over the next few days, people in Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull are being advised to take precautions. The Met Office, in partnership with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has issued a red heat alert, indicating that high temperatures could pose a risk to health, particularly for older adults, young children, babies, and those with long-term health conditions.

Local NHS teams have taken further steps to support greener, more sustainable healthcare, bringing together clinical leaders and showcasing practical action across services in the region.