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Healthier Futures - Citizens panel

As part of the ‘Healthier Futures’ partnership, we have set up ‘Black Country Voices’ – an online citizens’ panel to give local people greater say. The panel has more than 1650 members who represent people who live, work and use health and care services across the Black Country and West Birmingham. They will take part in online surveys, sharing their views and feedback about planning and improving local health and care services. 

Their views will be shared with health and care decision makers to help improve services. We will give panel members regular feedback on the results of survey they part in and how their views are being used to influence developments.

Becoming a member

Black Country Voices is a voluntary membership scheme for people who are interested in sharing their views and experiences to help to develop and improve local services.  Although some panel members were recruited to represent local populations and demographics, anyone can become a member. If you would like to join Black Country Voices click here.

What is involved if I join the panel?

You will be invited to take part in surveys every 8 to 10 weeks. How often you get involved is completely up to you. We aim to keep each survey short, however the number of questions in each survey will vary. It should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete.

How will my data be stored and safeguarded?

Personal information, data and feedback is currently being hosted by Membership Engagement Services (MES) on their panel membership platform and will be kept completely confidential and be held securely in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018. Your data and survey feedback will never be shared with anyone else other than MES and the Black Country and West Birmingham Integrated Care System (ICS).

Opt out

If you decide you no longer wish to be a member of Black Country Voices, you can opt out at any time by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you would like more information about Black Country Voices email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Introductory survey

In February 2020, the Black Country Voices team conducted a short general survey with Citizens’ Panel members to understand their level of understanding about the STP and the CCGs. The aim was to establish panel members’ knowledge about the STP and the work it does. The majority of those who responded hadn’t heard of or knew what an STP was and would have liked to have been informed more about what the STP was.

Please view the Engagement activity.

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