Health information bus rolls into Birmingham, Black Country and Solihull

A big red double decker bus is making stops across Birmingham, Black Country and Solihull this September, bringing with it vital health information to help residents learn more about cancer symptoms and access vital checks closer to home.

People who visit the bus can speak directly with NHS staff and other health professionals, receive free health checks and access community services such as a mobile cervical screening service on select dates.

The tour aims to bring professionals together to equip local residents with the information they need to look out for signs and symptoms of cancer, how to live the healthiest possible life and to signpost to support for concerns individuals may have.

There will also be NHS representatives on hand to talk to communities about what’s important to them, using their views to help shape the future direction of local services.

The tour is being delivered through a partnership between NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (ICB), NHS Black Country ICB and the West Midlands Cancer Alliance, with support from a range of local and national partners, including Healthwatch, MacMillan Cancer Support, University Hospitals Birmingham and more.

The bus has already been on tour twice this year, in April and June/July, delivering more than 500 health checks across local communities.

The bus will visit communities between 9.30am and 3.30pm on each date of the tour, bringing essential advice, support and screening directly to the people who need it most. The bus has already stopped at Mell Square in Solihull on 9 September and Bromford Bridge in Birmingham on 8 September. The remaining dates are:

• Tuesday 15 September
  • Tesco Extra, Princess Alice Drive, Sutton Coldfield
    • With the cervical screening unit
• Wednesday 16 September
  • Fordbridge Centre, Chelmsley Wood
    • WIth the cervical screening unit
• Thursday 17 September
  • Newtown Shopping Centre, Aston
    • With liver screening services & the cervical screening unit
• Friday 18 September
  • Dudley Town Centre, Dudley
    • With a focus on young people, including smoking cessation services and lung screening services
• Tuesday 22 September
  • Bentley Bridge Leisure Park, Wolverhampton
• Wednesday 23 September
  • Beechdale Community Centre, Walsall
    • With a women’s health focus
• Thursday 24 September
  • Portway Family Practice, Sandwell
• Friday 25 September
  • New Square Shopping Centre, Sandwell

Jo Tolley, Head of Programme – Cancer & Diagnostics, NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB and NHS Black Country ICB, said: “We know that conversations about cancer can sometimes feel uncomfortable, and may even be considered taboo by some. That’s why we’re committed to creating safe, accessible opportunities for people to talk openly with NHS staff and our partners about cancer, while also providing easy access to health checks and screening.

“Early diagnosis saves lives, and we’re determined to ensure that everyone in our communities can access the support they need – particularly in areas where uptake of health services is lower and cancer rates are higher.”

Harvir Singh, Senior Programme Manager for Early Diagnosis, West Midlands Cancer Alliance, said: “Anything we can do to make it easier for people to access support, health checks and expert information will make a significant difference to those affected by cancer.

“The cancer bus tour allows people to access a range of resources, right in the heart of local communities, with the tour visiting everywhere from fire stations to churches.

“If you’re unsure about anything cancer-related, whether you’ve got a question about screening or they have concerns about possible symptoms, we would encourage you to visit the bus.”

Ian Sharp, Medical Advisor to the ICB, NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB and NHS Black Country ICB, said: “This is what care in our neighbourhoods looks like, and I’m proud that the NHS across Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull is making healthcare more accessible, particularly when it comes to cancer.

“Cancer is one of our priority clinical areas, with a clear focus on earlier diagnosis and better access to care and support.

“Initiatives like the cancer bus and mobile cervical screening unit show how we are shifting more care from hospital into communities, with a stronger focus on prevention and earlier support. By helping people spot symptoms sooner, and making it easier to access advice, screening and follow-up, we can support earlier diagnosis and better outcomes.”

Visit our cancer screening page to learn more.