National Health Service

[Ian]

MPs awarded themselves 3.1% last year. Wonder how they will grab more, this?

[SteveH]

Betsi Cadwaladr: Health board's new chief pledges lessons from Australia

Wales can learn from Australia in how to deliver healthcare in rural areas, the new boss of the nation's largest health board has said.

Wrexham-born Jo Whitehead has returned to Wales as chief executive of the troubled Betsi Cadwaladr health board after working in northern Queensland.

She pointed to virtual outpatient appointments "to save a five-hour road trip" as one idea which could work.

Mental health services were also a key priority, Ms Whitehead added.

She took up her new post on New Year's Day, shortly after the board was taken out of special measures, having been subject to the highest level of Welsh Government intervention for more than five years.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56378980

[SteveH]

NORTH Wales will benefit from the largest slice of NHS investment that Welsh Government has announced today, Thursday.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board will receive an extra £20m to kick-start the national health and care system’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The newly appointed minister for health and social services, Eluned Morgan MS, has set-out plans for £100m worth of investment across the nation's health boards.

The money for new equipment, staff, technology and ways of working will help medics improve services across primary, community and hospital care, by increasing capacity and cutting waiting times as they begin resuming non-emergency care following the pandemic.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19315366.20m-help-post-covid-recovery-nhs-north-wales-announced/

[SteveH]

North Wales’ new medical school could be ready by 2025 and we’ll know what it costs by the summer, a health board chief executive has revealed.

Jo Whitehead, CEO of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, revealed the news in her report to the board’s monthly meeting on Thursdsay.

The new Medical and Health Sciences School will be a collaboration between the health board and Bangor University, if it gets approval from Welsh Government.

A study of what the capacity of the school should be is in the final stages and proposals should be lodged with Minister for Health and Social Care Eluned Morgan by the end of July, said Ms Whitehead.

In her report, she said: “BCUHB and Bangor University are working in partnership and have established programme arrangements in order achieve the shared ambition of developing a transformational Medical and Health Sciences School in North Wales by 2025.

“Work to develop capital investment plans is progressing with an ambition initial estimates expected to be completed in June 2021 and final estimates to be available in July 2021.”

An economic impact assessment will also be completed at the same time to help the business case for the new venture.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19323754.new-medical-school-north-wales-ready-2025/

[SteveH]

MILLIONS of pounds is being invested in Glan Clwyd Hospital and Wrexham Maelor to try and speed up the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other diseases.

More than £25million is being invested overall in hospitals across Wales to make sure the NHS in Wales has access to the latest technology.

The funding will help health boards upgrade equipment, including MRI and CT scanners. It will also increase the resilience and reliability of diagnostic equipment available to the NHS in Wales.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19347052.glan-clwyd-hospital-wrexham-maelor-hospital-benefit-huge-cash-injection-upgrade-vital-technology-equipment/

[SteveH]

NHS and social care staff burnout at an emergency level - report

NHS and care staff in England are so burnt out that it has become an "emergency" and risks the future of the health service, MPs have warned.

A highly critical report said workers were exhausted and overstretched because of staff shortages.

It said the problems existed before the pandemic - although coronavirus has worsened the pressures.

Doctors' and nursing unions welcomed the report, saying it highlighted the stress and anxiety facing staff.

It has already been well documented that the NHS is short of staff.

Last July, the health and social care committee - made up of MPs and chaired by former health secretary Jeremy Hunt - launched an inquiry to look at the issue, including how burnt out NHS staff were.

Its report, published on Tuesday, said one of the main problems was that there was no accurate forecast of how many staff the NHS needed for the next five to 10 years - something it called "workforce planning".

It said there needed to be a "total overhaul of the way the NHS does workforce planning" - and there should be annual reports published on how many workers the NHS would need for the next five, 10 and 20 years.

"It is clear that workforce planning has been led by the funding envelope available to health and social care rather than by demand and the capacity required to service that demand," said the report.

And it said that NHS workers needed to know there was a solution on its way to fix the staff shortages.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57395232

[Hugo]

Amongst Boris' many promises didn't  he promise an extra 20,000 or so staff for the NHS?        If Boris honours those promises those staff still need to be trained so it will still be hard on those NHS staff anyway. 

[SteveH]

NHS in Wales: 'Culture of bullying' among staff

NHS workers said they had witnessed or experienced institutionalised racism and sexism and also faced obstacles when reporting incidences of bullying.

It is claimed that raising concerns has led to bullying, and numerical targets were often put before staff well-being.

The Welsh NHS Confederation said it was "saddened" by the allegations and the NHS took bullying reports seriously.

The 2020 NHS Wales staff survey found 16% of workers had experienced bullying, harassment or abuse by another colleague, while 10% said they had experienced the same from a manager.

Meanwhile, 14% said their health board did not take effective action if staff were bullied or harassed by other members of staff or the public.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-57413875

[SteveH]

The NHS non-emergency 111 service is now available for free in North Wales from today (June 22).

The service allows people in need to access non-urgent medical advice and access to their out of hours service.

Managed by a team of health professionals, the 111 lines will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help you get the right treatment.

Advice is also available online at www.111.wales.NHS.uk.

“The 111 service will support people to receive the most appropriate services for their needs, and reduce the pressure on our 999 services

“When the NHS is experiencing high demand the service is particularly useful in ensuring people are directed to the most appropriate services.

“Supported by the 111 websites, this easy to remember free phone service will make it easier for anyone to access the support they need.”

[SteveH]

I appreciate the need but it does seem a large expensive project, just to help four children and two emergency places.

Groundbreaking scheme to stop vulnerable children being sent hundreds of miles away
Bwthyn y Ddol will be a tree-lined haven for vulnerable children needing assessment next to Eirias Park

It will be able to assess four children at a time with complex needs, for up to 12 weeks, under a team of two social workers, two family support workers, a psychologist and team manager who is also an occupational therapist.

There will be two additional "emergency beds" for children who need immediate respite from challenging situations, when family relationships break down and children require a safe space.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/groundbreaking-scheme-stop-vulnerable-children-20875500

[SteveH]

Hayfever sufferers may want to prepare for high levels of pollen in parts of North Wales over the next few days.
Levels are due to be 'high,' and in some cases 'very high,' across the region this week
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/high-pollen-levels-set-trigger-20913374

Conwy
The data listed below was given for Conwy, though it's unclear if this is the town or the county. Either way, other locations in the area, like Llandudno, had similar figures.

Today (June 28):

Grass: High (333 PPM)
Trees: High (224 PPM)
Weeds: High (170 PPM)
Tomorrow (June 29):

Grass: Very High (349 PPM)
Trees: High (236 PPM)
Weeds: High (179 PPM)
Wednesday (June 30):

Grass: High (202 PPM)
Trees: Moderate (136 PPM)
Weeds: High (103 PPM)
Thursday (July 1):

Grass: High (281 PPM)
Trees: Moderate (187 PPM)
Weeds: High (140 PPM)

[SteveH]

ONE in three calls to GP services in North Wales are going unanswered, figures show.

Members of the Senedd have raised concerns that just 58 out of 97 GP practices in the region have achieved General Medical Services (GMS) In Hours Access Standards.

The standards, introduced by the Welsh Government in March 2019, provide guidance over what is expected of patients and professionals, including a prompt response to their contact with a GP practice via telephone and that systems are in place to avoid repeat patient calls.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19428459.north-wales-mss-raise-concerns-gp-access-across-region/

[SteveH]

GP surgery staff who have played a key role in Wales’ world-leading vaccination roll out. - up until the start of June, primary care had given almost two-thirds (385,000) of the total COVID-19 vaccinations across North Wales.

But these hard-pressed GP practice staff have borne the brunt of an increase in abusive behaviour over recent months.

Dr Chris Stockport, BCUHB Executive Director of Primary and Community Care, said: "Please be polite and respectful to our primary care reception staff and call handlers, who are doing their very best to help you in often difficult circumstances.

"We have seen a rise in abusive behaviour towards GP practice staff in recent months and this is totally unacceptable.”

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/nhs-staff-facing-patient-abuse-21018894

[SteveH]

Tourists visiting North Wales with health concerns asked to avoid A&E - unless it is an emergency.........Hope they read this ! !


AN NHS leader has asked tourists and day tripped to 'think twice' before attending an emergency department or calling 999 with non-life-threatening conditions.

A lot of people are opting for 'staycations' in the UK rather than travelling abroad in response to the pandemic.

However, this means the region’s population will rise significantly, putting added strain on hospital workers.

Visitors and day trippers with health concerns are being encouraged to call 111 free from a landline or mobile phone if they need 24-hour support and guidance. There is also the NHS 111 Wales website: www.111.wales.nhs.uk

Dr Chris Stockport, executive director of Primary and Community Services, said: "As Covid-19 restrictions ease and we approach the school holidays there will be a major increase in the number of people in this region.

“Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic we have embraced digital technology and virtual services, and with the 111 phone number now available to patients in North Wales there are several ways people can get in touch to access the NHS safely.

https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19436850.tourists-visiting-north-wales-health-concerns-asked-avoid-e---unless-emergency/

[SteveH]

ACTIONS have been put in place to deal with unprecedented demand, the Welsh Ambulance Service has confirmed.

On Monday, the Welsh Ambulance Service confirmed they are receiving an increased demand on services.

Sonia Thompson, Interim Assistant Director of Operations Response at the Welsh Ambulance Service said: “This afternoon we have declared a Business Continuity Incident as a result of increased demand on our services.

“Actions are underway to deal with the demand but we would urge the public to work with us on this.

“If your call is less urgent then you will wait longer for help or be asked to make an alternative arrangement, including making your own way to hospital if necessary.

“We’re hopeful that the actions we have put in place will start to take effect but until then, help us help you and only call if it’s a genuine emergency.”