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Health

Chair’s reflections and focus on recovery one year on

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MARIA BATTLE, Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board, which plans and delivers the majority of NHS care in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, is reflecting on the last year as we reach the anniversary of the first UK stay-at-home instruction in response to the COVID-19 pandemic:

“The day of reflection planned across the UK on Tuesday March 23 2021 will be a poignant day.

Families who have suffered the loss of a loved one either directly from COVID-19, or during the pandemic, are living every day with their personal grief and loss. In Hywel Dda University Health Board alone, 474* people have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.

Loved ones lost before their time.

Our thoughts and sympathies are first and foremost with people who are grieving at this time. The hope is that this day of national reflection will demonstrate that their loved ones were seen and are remembered. Our thoughts are also with our staff who cared for those lost so lovingly at the end of their lives.

In Hywel Dda University Health Board, we will join others across the UK in a one minute’s silence at 12noon on Tuesday, to remember those lost. Care will continue to be provided, but what can be paused will be paused. We will take those moments privately, or collectively with our colleagues, to remember in peace and to pay tribute.

An online remembrance service has been organised for our staff on this day, so those who wish to come together have a place to do so, although not physically but in the spirit of togetherness.

As always, staff can attend our hospital chapels if they need a place for rest or recuperation, and are invited to light battery operated candles, funded by Hywel Dda Health Charites, and distributed across our sites and community services.

As we know, the simple act of lighting a candle can help the emotions we may experience from continued pain, suffering and anxiety become a tribute to hope and thankfulness for the heroic response by many people in our communities.

We are also invited to shine a beacon into the night sky at 8pm by using our phones, candles or torches; and we thank our partners in local authorities in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire who will light up landmark buildings in our area for this day of reflection.

But alongside remembrance and reflection, in Hywel Dda University Health Board, we have also turned our attentions to the recovery and learning that is necessary as we start to emerge out of the pandemic.

I am so very proud of the sacrifices made by our staff (frontline and support), their families, our partners and our communities during the past year.

I have been awed by how our communities have rolled up their sleeves. Whether that has been other key workers, people staying at home, those shielding, home schooling, or in support of neighbours by volunteering and carrying out heart- warming acts of human kindness.

The hope and the light that came when we received the first batch of vaccines on December 8 2020 grows daily and shines more brightly. Our staff, volunteers and partners have worked so hard together in recent months to deliver vaccines to those most at risk, to save lives and protect us all.

And people have come forward for their vaccinations in numbers we daren’t imagine were possible, to protect themselves and their loved ones and their communities.

As of March 17 2021, we have given 175,893 vaccinations in total, representing 39.5% of our population (more than 50% of eligible adult population) having received their first dose and 5.9% receiving the full course (2nd dose).

We are on target to offer vaccination to all adults in West Wales by the end of July, subject to supplies being received as planned.

This extraordinary achievement opens up hope for the future as we continue to work towards our vision for a healthier mid and west Wales. But we have a lot of work to do to re-build and a lot of learning to take stock of.

We are all acutely aware of the detrimental impact on people waiting for planned operations far longer than we would like. We have written to all patients who have waited more than 52 weeks to say how sorry we are, to explain why and to ensure our waiting lists are correct to help clinical decisions as we re-start non-urgent care. You can keep up-to-date on the re-starting and expansion of planned care services here: https://hduhb.nhs.wales/healthcare/covid-19-information/restarting-services/

We are about to offer a single point of contact and additional support to some patients. We are starting with a group of orthopaedic patients, so they are supported to look after themselves and be ready for surgery, and are able to recognise and report any significant changes to their clinical condition. We want to eventually roll this out to everyone on the waiting list.

General advice to people on how to remain well whilst awaiting surgery, which can improve outcomes after surgery, is available here: https://hduhb.nhs.wales/healthcare/covid-19-information/preparing-for-treatment-lifestyle-advice/

Without the pandemic however, we would unlikely have seen the speed of the digital roll out and community based care that we have been able to provide in people’s own homes, or closer to them.

For example, in March last year only 1% of outpatient appointments were carried out online, but as of January this year, 28% of outpatient appointments were carried out in this manner, with really good feedback from patients.

We are also continuing to support staff with their own health and wellbeing with a range of psychological and wellbeing services. Many are exhausted and they and their families have made great personal sacrifices. It has been humbling and inspirational to listen to their experiences and see how they have looked after each other as well as their patients. They need some time to rest and recover before the full resumption of all services.

I have recently set up a group of experts, including the Military, to advise on how we best support staff coming out of the pandemic. To rebuild stronger, we need a solid foundation and that is our staff who deliver or enable the care we provide

Following the Senedd elections, we will also ‘check in’ with our communities and open up a conversation about the pandemic and what it has meant for you and your experience and access to health and care. We want to consider any new information you have that we need to take into account when planning your health services for the future.

So next week is for reflection and remembrance. But it is a not a one day event for us in Hywel Dda UHB. We will use what we have learnt and all our experiences to inform what we do and how we do things moving forward to hopefully, make things better for our communities, our staff and our patients.

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Health

Hay fever warning – Tree pollen on the rise across Wales

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POLLEN experts are warning that the next few days could be significant for those who suffer from hay-fever.

“The first medium pollen counts of the season are forecast across Wales over the next 5 days,” says airborne allergens expert Max Wiseberg, “and many hay fever sufferers start to experience symptoms when the count reaches this level. The main culprit at this time is birch pollen, the pollen most tree pollen allergy sufferers are allergic to. So now is the time for hay fever sufferers to prepare for the season ahead.”

“Birch is arguably the most problematic tree of them all for hay fever sufferers,” continues Max. “In the same family as alder and hazel trees, the birch is the worst of the bunch for the 25% of UK hay fever sufferers who are allergic to tree pollen. The peak of the birch pollen season can run throughout April to mid May.”

“So now is the time to start preparing for the season ahead. If you are already starting to experience hay fever symptoms or want to avoid them being triggered, start to apply an allergen barrier balmsuch as HayMax, which works by trapping pollen before it enters the body and starts to work straight away. If you use antihistamines, many manufacturers recommend starting a month before your season starts, so if you haven’t started already, now is the time. And it’s the same with nasal sprays; they need several days to build up to their maximum protective effect and some makers advise starting using them one month before your hay fever season begins.”

“If your symptoms are particularly bad on a given day, or you find that nothing really works, or the remedy you use stops working, try combining products for a greater effect, in other words create your own ‘Hay Fever First Aid Kit’, a combination of products which can be complementary to one another. My recommendation would be an allergen barrier balm to trap the pollen, one (and only one) antihistamine to combat the overproduction of histamines, one (and only one) steroid nasal spray, as the nasal area is where the pollen enters and is most affected, plus one or more drug-free or natural products.”

“There are several practical things you can do to reduce the effects of pollen:

  • When you’re outdoors wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting in your eyes. Apply an allergen barrier balm to help prevent pollen getting up your nose. And wear a cap or other head cover and tie up long hair to stop pollen getting trapped in your hair,
  • When you return home, take off your shoes at the front or back door so you don’t bring pollen indoors with you, Washing your face, changing your clothes and having a shower will all help by removing pollen from your hair and body.
  • Keep pollen out of your home. Keep doors and windows closed. Dust and vacuum regularly, including fabrics and upholstery, to remove pollen. Damp dusting will help stop pollen being dispersed back into the air. If you have a pet, keep it well groomed and washed regularly, to remove pollen from its fur and keep it out of the room in which you sleep.”

“There is currently no cure for hay fever – they’ve been working on it for years – but until there is there are many products – both natural and conventional – and lifestyle changes you can try. Check out my website www. https://haymax.biz/hay-fever/ for more ideas. Good luck!”

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Health

RCN’s three urgent steps to rescue Welsh NHS sent to First Minister

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HELEN WHYLEY, Director of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Wales, has written to the First Minister calling for immediate action in three key areas to protect patients and secure the future of nursing in Wales.

The RCN first urges Vaughan Gething to deliver on promises in the Welsh government’s 2023/24 pay offer – prioritising patient safety by ensuring there are enough nursing staff to deliver safe and effective care. Second, the organisation warns him to responsibly introduce registered nursing associates to Wales. The letter ends by asking him to strategically invest in the education of nurses at all career stages, to meet future health care demands.

Promises in the 2023/24 pay offer included action on patients being cared for in inappropriate places (so-called “corridor care”), better access to flexible working, a 36-hour week, and more.

Helen Whyley said: “Now is the time for the First Minister to refresh his public commitment to safe and effective care. That would go a long way towards assuring nursing staff that his government will address the extreme pressures they are under.

“What’s critical is that the First Minister keeps nurses nursing in the NHS. That’s why he must make sure the Welsh government keeps every promise it made to our members last year to end industrial action. Those important promises could make a real difference to nurses and to their patients. That’s why our members accepted them in good faith – but half a year later, they have yet to feel a difference.

“New nursing roles are fantastic, but patients need to understand what that means for them – and, crucially, they need to be funded properly. Any risk to patient safety from registered nurses being inappropriately replaced is completely unacceptable. And this can’t become a distraction from getting the basics right, either. A national strategy for commissioning nursing education, all the way from student to advanced and consultant level, would be a fitting ambition for a new First Minister with a commitment to improving health.”

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Health

Brain Injury Group Donates £3,000 to local services

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THE SOUTH WEST WALES BRAIN INJURY GROUP (SWWBIG) has announced donations to two local health boards, giving £1,000 each to Neath Port Talbot Neuro Rehabilitation Unit and the Community Brain Injury Services at Swansea Bay and Hywel Dda University Health Boards.

This funding boost for the health boards comes from the profits earned at the SWWBIG conferences in 2022 and 2023, which were organised and sponsored by JCP Solicitors and co-sponsored by Fieldbay (part of the ivolve Care & Support group).  

The conferences, which have taken place annually since 2011, provide an opportunity for individuals and families affected by brain injury, as well as healthcare professionals, charities, students and researchers across South West Wales to come together and explore the critical stages of survival and recovery. 

The 2022 and 2023 conferences each welcomed around 200 attendees and raised £3,000 in excess funds. The committee, made up of healthcare workers and practitioners in the field of brain injury, voted to donate to the brain injury services in their local health boards, ensuring that the funds can be used to assist the brain injury community in South West Wales in the best way possible. 

Suzanna Charles, Chair of SWWBIG said: “The South West Wales Brain Injury Conferences are always a huge success, as we are able to facilitate important conversations for professionals working in the field and offer support.

“What is more, the conferences raise vital funds which will go towards providing ongoing rehabilitation for those affected by brain injury. We are proud to provide this additional funding which will have a direct, positive impact on brain injury survivors in our local area. 

“The journey through rehabilitation is different for everyone, and it is so important to have a supportive network of healthcare professionals and experts to guide patients while listening to their individual needs.”

The main objective of the South West Wales Brain Injury Group is to provide a forum for individuals with an interest in acquired brain injury, to educate and encourage development and dissemination of good practice. For more information on SWWBIG or to register your interest to attend the conference in 2024, please visit www.swwbig.co.uk.   

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