National Health Service

[SteveH]

Three stories this morning ...........

The GMB, the largest union in ambulance services, is suspending its participation in the process used by the Government to set pay in the NHS.
Thousands of its ambulance members are set to strike next week in a bitter dispute over pay. Talks to avert the walkouts have stalled as the Government insists it is sticking to the recommendations of the independent pay review body and refuses to move on pay.
cont https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/gmb-loses-faith-nhs-pay-25755657?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

BETSI Cadwaladr University Health Board's executive director of nursing has issued a statement ahead of strike action taking place tomorrow (Thursday, December 15).
Angela Wood has thanked members of the public for their understanding, and said there had been extensive negotiations with the Royal College of Nursing over staffing levels ahead of the action.

She also reiterated members of the public should not call the health board enquiring about any planned appointments on the day of action.
cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23190980.nursing-strikes-betsi-cadwaladr-health-board-issues-statement/


Public urged don't dial 999 unless it's life-threatening as nurses strike in Wales for first time
Routine appointments and elective surgery likely to be cancelled as NHS prepares for day of disruption

The Welsh Ambulance Service is urging people only to dial 999 if they have life threatening injuries or illnesses as nurses take strike action in a row over pay for the first time in history. Hospitals and NHS services Wales face major disruption as members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) stage a two walk-out today and on December 20
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/cost-of-living/public-urged-dont-dial-999-25755356

[SteveH]

BETSI Cadwaladr University Health Board have put out a message to patients ahead of expected strike action next week.
Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland took part in strikes on Thursday, December 15.

The second strike is set to go ahead on Tuesday (December 20).

In a statement, BCUHB said: "We anticipate that Industrial action will once again take place within BCUHB on, Tuesday, December 20 2022. We will provide further updates as and when necessary over the coming days. At present, our guidance on attending appointments and treatment remains the same: Patients due to attend an appointment or treatment at one of our sites on Tuesday, December 20 should attend as normal, unless told otherwise.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23197379.bcuhb-updates-patients-ahead-second-nurses-strike/


Hospitals told to free up beds for ambulance strike
Hospitals should free up beds to prepare for "extensive disruption" caused by ambulance staff strikes in England, NHS bosses have urged.

They said patients would need to be safely discharged where possible ahead of a "very challenging" period.

Ambulance staff are to walk out on 21 and 28 December in a dispute over pay.

Business Secretary Grant Shapps said pay rises for ambulance workers and nurses were decided by independent pay review bodies.

The co-ordinated walkout in England and Wales by the three main ambulance unions - Unison, GMB and Unite - will affect non-life threatening calls only.

Unison, Unite and GMB are taking action on 21 December. GMB union members will go on strike again on 28 December.
The walkouts will involve paramedics as well as control room staff and support workers.
cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64005274

[SteveH]

As England announce that 1,200 troops to cover for ambulances and Border Force https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64012800

Wales has said........ Military will not drive ambulances in Wales

The military will not to be asked to drive ambulances in Wales during strikes, the Welsh government has said.

It comes as the UK government announces plans to cover for striking ambulance staff over Christmas in England.

Citing public safety concerns, it said arrangements had been made to deploy 1,200 members of the military and 1,000 civil servants.

But the Welsh government said it had "no plans" to use the military for frontline ambulance services.

A spokesman said: "Assistance from the armed forces has been agreed for logistical support, helping ensure that available ambulance capacity is used to the best effect."

In England the NHS has also asked hospitals to free as many beds as possible.

The Welsh government said NHS Wales and the Welsh Ambulance Service were "continuing to work closely on arrangements with staff and unions ahead of the strikes".

Some 10,000 ambulance staff are striking across most of Wales and England

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64014901

[SteveH]

A first-of-its-kind mobile App has been launched to help support pregnant women with information from NHS professionals. 

The App called Foodwise in Pregnancy, includes six sections to work through at your own pace with recipes, shopping tips and a meal planner, as well as step-by-step exercises ideal for pregnancy.

The App also allows people to set goals throughout their pregnancy, record food and exercise activity, and includes interactive games, quizzes, and tools.

Public Health Dietitian Andrea Basu and dietetic colleagues from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) have been working with Nutrition Skills for Life, which is an organisation made up of dietitians and nutritionists from Health Boards across Wales, to help plan, develop and review content for the App.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23199451.north-wales-health-board-release-app-help-mums-pregnancies/

[SteveH]

North Wales health board declares 'critical incident' over unprecedented winter demand
'We have postponed all but the most urgent procedures in our hospitals'

North Wales health board bosses have declared an 'internal critical incident' amid unprecedented winter demands. Betsi Cadalwadr University Health Board says the service is struggling with winter viruses, concerns over Strep A, cold weather injuries and more nurse strike action.

As a result, all but the most urgent procedures have been postponed in hospitals across the region, in a bid to mitigate the impact.

BCUHB interim chief executive Gill Harris, said: "The demand on services right across the health system over recent days has been unprecedented due to a combination of winter viruses, parents seeking help due to concerns about Strep A and injuries associated with the cold weather.

"This has meant extremely long waits for patients to be seen ? particularly at our hospital Emergency Departments. The Royal College of Nursing industrial action that is due to take place again tomorrow and the Wales Ambulance Service action on Wednesday will limit our ability to respond even further."

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/betsi-health-board-declares-internal-25787456


LIVE BBC report     Government refuses to negotiate pay with striking nurses
Why aren't nurses striking in Scotland?

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/health-64027867

[Helig]

The nurses in Scotland have settled their pay award with an offer of 7.5% increase and up to 11.24 % for the bottom pay bands.

The strikes which were set to hit the Scottish Ambulance Service and the wider NHS are now off.

https://inews.co.uk/opinion/covid-origin-debate-now-murkier-than-ever-2035901

[SteveH]

'Nurses are for life, not just for Covid' North Wales strikers hear on second day of action
'For change to happen and for the government to listen to us, this was the only option'
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/nurses-life-not-just-covid-25800933?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589


Nurse strikes Wales: Pay dispute 'beginning of end for NHS'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64027344


Welsh Government urges everyone to do four things ahead of ambulance service strikes
'It?s vital that all of us, as users of our NHS, do all we can to minimise pressure on our health service'
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/welsh-government-urges-everyone-four-25801768?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589


Live BBC reporting
Don't get so drunk you need A&E during strike - NHS boss   
Advice for the public during the strikes today
The NHS has issued guidance to the public amid strikes today held by ambulance workers, including paramedics and call handlers, in England and Wales:

Use NHS services "appropriately" - they advise using 111 online as the first port of call for health needs and only using 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency
Patients with non life-threatening conditions will have to wait longer than usual for an ambulance and may be asked to make their own way to hospital - although it is important that they get medical advice from 111 or 999 before doing so
The public are asked to take "sensible steps" to keep themselves and others safe during the disruption, such as drinking responsibly or checking up on a vulnerable family member or neighbour
The NHS says it will contact anyone whose medical appointment has to be rescheduled due to strikes. Anyone who has not been contacted is asked to attend appointments as planned
People are reminded that general practice, community pharmacies, and dentistry are not impacted by the strikes

cont Live report           https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/health-63991278

[Hugo]

The nurses in Scotland have settled their pay award with an offer of 7.5% increase and up to 11.24 % for the bottom pay bands.

The strikes which were set to hit the Scottish Ambulance Service and the wider NHS are now off.

https://inews.co.uk/opinion/covid-origin-debate-now-murkier-than-ever-2035901

That's really positive news for Scotland and nice to hear that something constructive is being done up there.     I felt so sorry and upset to see the Nurses having to go on the picket line after all the front line work that they have done, especially over the last 3 years during lockdown
Boris' promises of ?350 million a week going to the NHS and 40 new hospitals to be be built plus 50,000  new nurses has been shown to be nothing but lies
The shortage of staff in the NHS means that more work has to be contracted out to the private sector and this way the Tories will be dismantling the NHS bit by bit

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jul/09/boris-johnson-pledge-to-recruit-nhs-nurses-in-doubt

[SteveH]

Major disruption as Welsh Ambulance staff strike but 'demand is manageable'
Only life-threatening calls were being responded to for the first of two planned strike days over the Christmas period

People were advised to only call 999 if they are seriously ill or injured and there is a risk to life with calls also expected to see major delays and wait times. In some cases it was reported that staff were asking patients to make their own way to hospital if treatment was required.
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/major-disruption-welsh-ambulance-staff-25811586


Ambulance strike: A&Es braced for influx of post-strike patients
Hospitals were quieter than normal during Wednesday's ambulance strikes, but Thursday is likely to be "very challenging" with lots of patients turning up, health bosses say.

Only the most serious 999 calls were responded to.
But there was no evidence of people going to A&E in taxis or their own cars, NHS Providers told the BBC.

Thousands of paramedics, call handlers and technicians took action in England and Wales on Wednesday.

Chief executive of the NHS Confederation, Matthew Taylor, said while there had been a reduction in 999 calls on Wednesday there had been an increase in people phoning 111, as well as more people being referred to out-of-hospital services.
Cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-64053080


Doctors in Wales consider striking for the first time
Almost two-thirds of hospital doctors surveyed by the British Medical Association (BMA) Cymru said they would be willing to take some form of industrial action.

The BMA's Welsh Council chairwoman, Dr Iona Collins, said the result of the survey was "upsetting to all".

The Welsh government said it understands the strength of feeling among doctors about the pay offer.
Dr Iona Collins added that it was "gut-wrenching for doctors to consider walking away from work".

"Without action now, patients will continue to suffer as a direct consequence of an under-funded NHS with insufficient direct clinical care."
cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64062631

[SteveH]

A multi-million pound fraud investigation has begun at Wales' largest health board.       

Specialist investigators have been called in to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board after auditors discovered at least ?122m was allegedly not properly accounted for.

Audit Wales is also conducting a "high level review of board effectiveness" to understand what went wrong and how.

The Welsh government said it was unable to comment on an active investigation.

Issues were first uncovered earlier in the year when auditors found a number of "significant errors" in the health board's account for the 2021-22 financial year.

They allegedly found there was ?72m of unpaid invoices and bills listed in the accounts, but could not find evidence that they existed.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64068921

[SteveH]

An ambulance strike that was planned for Wednesday, December 28 has been suspended by the GMB union.

In a statement, the GMB said this gesture was done as a "thank you to the public" after the "incredible support" they gave striking ambulance workers on Wednesday, December 21.

Three unions - Unison, Unite and the GMB union - were involved in the strike action, which was taken because of disputes over pay and working conditions.

Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary said: ?We are overwhelmed by Wednesday?s amazing public support for our paramedics and ambulance staff.

?People across the country have been wonderful in backing us and we care so much about them too. That?s why we are suspending the proposed GMB industrial action on the 28th December.

?We know the public will appreciate being able to enjoy Christmas without any additional anxiety. They support us and we support them.?

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23211583.ambulance-strikes-gmb-union-suspends-planned-action-december-28/

[SteveH]

Last week a neighbour required an ambulance due to a recurring problem, this was a last resort, after no replies from the locum or the 111 service, he was quoted an 8 hour wait, which caused a lot of worry, but all ended well.

Hospitals in Wales are in an unprecedented situation as they tackle flu, according to the country's top doctor.

Dr Sir Frank Atherton said all health boards are "at the highest level of escalation" and described the system as the busiest he had seen.

The pressures mean staff feel "wiped out" and "destroyed" at the end of their shifts with many left in tears, according to one consultant.

It comes as flu cases are rising.

For the week from 19-25 December, there were 1,877 cases recorded by Public Health Wales, with 369 of these leading to hospital treatment.

The week before, the figure was 236 leading to hospital admissions, and it was 53 a month before.

"Traditionally people have called 111, but even that is under significant pressure," Dr Atherton said.

"We have had double the number of calls in a week compared to the same time last year."

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64126632

[SteveH]

Not an update on above, but connected, speaking with a senior NHS member, I said I hope you get the rise you all deserve, the surprising reply .............its not the money ..........North Wales cannot get staff to the area ? !!

Some A&E departments are in a "complete state of crisis", the Royal College of Emergency Medicine has said, as it highlighted the extreme pressures facing the NHS this winter.

Dr Ian Higginson, the college's vice-president, said he was in "no doubt" there was a risk to patients.

Hospitals are facing soaring demands, which experts believe is in part driven by winter illnesses like flu and Covid.

The government said it recognised the pressures faced by the NHS.

According to the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) - which monitors standards of care in UK A&E departments - the NHS is facing the worst winter for A&E waits on record.

A number of hospitals have declared critical incidents in recent days, meaning they cannot function as usual due to extraordinary pressure.

Other trusts have told patients to avoid emergency departments unless their condition is life-threatening.

Emergency consultant Dr Higginson told BBC Radio 5 Live the waits being experienced by patients in emergency departments were "appalling" - and said he had heard of waits of up to four days.

"Emergency departments are in a really difficult and in some cases a complete state of crisis right now... and in many cases we are unable to provide care at the standard we would like.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-64142614

[DVT]

It does seem that the media make it the big thing that the various unions are pressing for more money, which is not totally the case as per above.  Yes, many do deserve more money but the amounts demanded are probably impractical and will only serve to increase everyone's cost of living as price of goods and services will increase..

My brother-in-law works for the railway and the big issue there is not the money, but the conditions and the management are planning a 5% reduction in maintenance, with work normally carried out every 3 months now going to be every 6 months, so halving much of the work and a percentage of the employees, as well as increasing safety risks.  Also doing away with guardsmen, leaving the driver to look after everyone on board.

The media should report facts correctly, not sensationalise things.

[Ian]

It does seem that the media make it the big thing that the various unions are pressing for more money, which is not totally the case as per above.
The media should report facts correctly, not sensationalise things.

I absolutely concur. The major issue is that almost all the tabloids are extreme right wing (Mail, Express, Sun etc.) and of the broadsheets most charge for viewing, unlike the Guardian and the Observer.

Incidentally, all the newspapers except for two are owned by 'Media Tycoons', who are generally extremely wealthy or landed gentry.  How we ever manage to get a Labour government given the massively Tory-backed news media is astonishing. And a lot are owned by wealthy individuals who aren't even British.

What makes the Guardian and Observer unique, however, is they they're both owned by Trusts and thus don't have to make the owners lots of money.