A report outlining the key priorities for Public Health in 2025/26 will be presented at Walsall Council’s Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 10 July 2025.
Presented by Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Health and Wellbeing, the report highlights how Walsall Public Health is working with partners across sectors to improve health and wellbeing through better housing, employment, planning, green spaces and sustainability initiatives.
The Public Health team delivers services that ensure every child has the best start in life and tackles the four biggest preventable causes of premature illness and death: tobacco, poor diet, alcohol and physical inactivity.
Over the past year, the team has made significant progress. Nearly 12,000 health checks were carried out for children aged 0–5, and more than 10,000 NHS Health Checks were completed in 2024/25. Referrals to the Be Well Walsall stop smoking service rose by 16%, with over 1,200 people referred in just six months.
The health protection team responded to 330 infectious disease incidents, while alcohol and drug services supported over 2,000 people – a 13% increase. The Thrive Mental Wellbeing Unit welcomed more than 3,200 visits and 900 individuals received bereavement and counselling support. Public Health also continues to be a training location for foundation doctors and specialist registrars, with 13 trainees completing placements in the past year.
The team has also led the delivery of key strategies on infant mortality, suicide prevention, teenage pregnancy, alcohol and drugs, infant feeding, and more.
Looking ahead to 2025/26, Public Health will focus on the following priorities: best start in life and young people’s health and wellbeing, increasing healthy life expectancy, living well in older age and creating healthy places.
“ Our ambition is for everyone in Walsall to live a healthy, active and fulfilling life, no matter where they live or their background. The role of public health in Walsall focuses on improving and protecting the health of our communities and reducing avoidable differences in health outcomes. We’re committed to delivering real change by supporting families, tackling health inequalities and creating environments that help people to thrive. By working with our partners and communities, we’re building a borough where health and wellbeing is part of everyday life. “
Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Health and Wellbeing
Walsall Council
Walsall Council Public Health encourages residents to access the wide range of support available to them and others. Support spans the life course, from pregnancy and early years to adulthood. View the Walsall Public Health and wider support services – a life course guide.
The papers for the Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee can be found on the Council’s Committee Management and Information System (CMIS).
For wider support and access to voluntary and community sector services, search or visit the Walsall Wellbeing Directory.
A video entitled “This is Public Health” is available to watch on YouTube, outlining some of the key achievements highlighted above.