The NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) is proud to announce the launch of the Community Outbreak Response Service (CORS), a new initiative designed to support the management and contain outbreaks of infectious diseases.
This service will provide critical diagnostic, treatment, and post-exposure care directly in the community, ensuring timely and effective responses to health threats.
Diseases managed by the service includes:
- seasonal and avian influenza
- measles
- mpox
- scabies
- hepatitis A, B, and C.
CORS will be available to all patients registered with a Black Country GP, including those in care homes and migrant and homeless populations, following referral from a healthcare professional.
The service will operate Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm including Bank Holidays, ensuring swift action within 24 hours of receiving a referral. If a referral is received after 6pm on a Friday or at any time over the weekend, this should be enacted at the earliest opportunity on the next service operational day.
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country ICB, said: "With CORS, we aim to reduce the spread of infectious diseases by providing quick and efficient care to those in need.
“Our team is equipped to handle various diseases such as influenza, measles, scabies, and more."
