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Cancer care questions continue

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prof wagstaff• Health Board cancer service ‘propped up’ and ‘unsustainable’

• Will cancer care be cut and moved to Carmarthen?

“HYWEL DDA do have a serious problem with their oncology services. They currently employ two oncologists to serve a population of 250,000 persons. 

“They rely on visiting Swansea consultants to prop up their service. This is unsustainable. “Furthermore oncology has become so specialised that it is no longer possible to be a general oncologist treating all types of cancer. “It is my view that Hywel Dda should employ sufficient oncologists to allow patients with common cancers to be treated at one hospital in the Health Board. “Patients with rarer cancers will need to travel to Swansea to a consultant who is sub specialised in the rarer cancer types. This is the way that oncology is developing across Europe.” The words of Professor John Wagstaff, the Programme Director in Medical Oncology for the Wales Deanery, the Postgraduate School for Medicine and Dentistry and the body responsible for commissioning, quality assurance and supporting the education and training of trainees, hospital doctors, GPs, dentists and DCPs throughout Wales. We asked the Health Board to respond to Professor Wagstaff’s views and we were directed to the comment it had already made about cancer services in Pembrokeshire last week: “Hywel Dda University Health Board is fully committed to the achievement of a new Chemotherapy Day Unit for Pembrokeshire which will realise the time, effort and investment that has been made by those fundraising in the county. The capital build is only part of the challenge as all service/units that we provide require a review of staffing to ensure that they are sustainable in the long term. “We continue to work hard with colleagues, partner organisations and stakeholders, including our charitable fundraisers, to ensure we provide the best care possible for cancer patients and will continue to work closely with them on the development of the new Chemotherapy Day Unit.” That response does not, however, address one inconsistency in the Health Board’s approach. The head of oncology at the Wales Deanery says that the current service model cannot be sustained and that services need to be centred in one location in relation to cancer services. Taking the Board’s press statement above at face value, it contemplates ignoring Professor Wagstaff’s view, albeit one expressed in a personal capacity. However, the Board continues to press ahead with its even more controversial plans relating to the SCBU, which it claims it is obliged to carry out due to Deanery advice on service provision. Most tellingly, it appears that the advertisement for a cancer specialist doctor at Withybush will be precisely the type of general post that Professor Wagstaff states is no longer appropriate. A Health Board spokesperson also said: “We are currently undertaking a review of Oncology Services which about strengthening and modernising local services providing high quality, safe, effective treatment and care as close to patient’s home as possible. “The review board includes in its membership oncologist from ABMUHB with whom we have a long standing contractual relationship to deliver oncology services. The board will consider a range of views from different clinical staff. The board also includes members of the CHC. “This process is not about reducing the service we offer but is about creating a more sustainable, high quality service. This may mean the way we deliver cancer services may change.”

 

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Tomos

    July 23, 2014 at 8:55 am

    for how long will carwyn Jones and the apologists (usually well paid spin doctors from these trusts) give us the usual clap trap – The welsh are sicker – as an excuse for the worst cancer survival rates in ANY modern country in the World including Eastern europe and even some African countries

    Let’s not forget when an especially outrageous or sad story is picked up by the media that well known phrase – Lessons have been learnt – (usually they mean we’ll bully whistle blowers even more to shut up as it’s slightly embarassing for our £200k pa boss)

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Crime

Man, 37, found dead following major police response in Pembroke Dock

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Death not being treated as suspicious as police make statutory referral to IOPC following active investigation

A 37-YEAR-OLD man has been found dead at Warrior Way in Pembroke Dock.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers attended the area at around 7pm on Sunday, July 19, after concerns were raised for the welfare of an individual.

There was a significant police presence in the area, with several units positioned at the scene on Sunday and further police activity continuing into Monday.

The scale of the response prompted speculation among members of the public about the nature of the incident.

Police have now confirmed that the man was found deceased and that his death is not being treated as suspicious.

His next of kin have been informed.

HM Coroner has been advised, and officers will continue to assist with the coroner’s investigation.

The matter has also been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct because the man had been involved in an active police investigation.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the referral was made in line with the IOPC’s statutory referral criteria.

Such referrals are required in certain circumstances and do not, in themselves, indicate that police officers or staff are suspected of wrongdoing.

 

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Charity

Salvation Army offers free meals and school uniforms to families across Wales

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Children in Mold can receive free meals throughout the summer holidays, while thousands of school uniform items are being distributed through centres in Swansea and Cardiff

THE SALVATION ARMY is helping families across Wales cope with the additional cost of the school summer holidays by providing free meals for children and free school uniforms ahead of the new academic year.

Its church and community centre in Mold is opening from 9.30am until 3pm, Tuesday to Saturday, throughout the Welsh school holidays.

Free meals are available to all children aged under 16, with no requirement for accompanying adults to purchase anything.

Major Michelle Hayter said the scheme had made a significant difference to families in the area over recent years.

She said: “If your children usually receive free school meals, suddenly having to provide lunch, snacks and activities every day can be costly.

“By offering free meals, we are helping families free up money so they can enjoy the fun things their children want to do.

“When we remind parents that the meals are free, you can see the smile on their faces.”

The Mold centre is also holding recycling-themed craft sessions on selected days, including activities such as making mosaic coasters, decorating jars and creating bird feeders.

The charity is also supporting parents who may already be concerned about the cost of buying school uniforms for September.

Salvation Army charity shops and donation centres across Wales are offering free school uniform items, subject to availability.

Donation centres in Gorseinon, Swansea, and Cardiff have already distributed more than 3,000 items donated by Bridgend-based school uniform supplier Euroschools Direct.

Craig Mawer, manager at Euroschools Direct, said the company wanted its unused stock to benefit families rather than go to waste.

He said: “We are really pleased the uniforms have been able to support The Salvation Army’s work.

“When we realised we had unused stock, we wanted it to make a genuine difference rather than end up as waste.

“The Salvation Army felt like the right choice because of its strong community presence and the support it offers to parents facing financial pressure.”

Families seeking help are advised to contact their nearest Salvation Army church, community centre, charity shop or donation centre to find out what support is available locally.

 

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Business

Dedicated 5G network introduced at Royal Welsh Show to keep livestreams running

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BT says protected mobile connection will help Welsh traders process card payments and allow organisers to share live content during periods of heavy network demand

DEDICATED 5G connectivity is being used at this year’s Royal Welsh Show to prevent card payments, livestreams and other essential digital services from being disrupted when the showground becomes crowded.

BT and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society are demonstrating new 5G+ “network slicing” technology at the event, which is expected to attract as many as 250,000 visitors during its four-day run.

The technology creates a dedicated and protected section of the EE mobile network for specific services or organisations.

This means businesses using the connection should continue to receive reliable mobile coverage even when thousands of visitors are simultaneously using their phones, potentially placing the wider public network under significant pressure.

At the showground, the dedicated connection is supporting payment systems operated by Welsh food and drink businesses Radnor Hills and Fire and Flank.

BT says the system will help traders process card payments quickly during peak periods, reducing the risk of lengthy queues or lost sales caused by network congestion.

Chris Butler, marketing manager at Radnor Hills, said dependable connectivity was essential because thousands of visitors use the company’s stands during the show.

He said: “The Royal Welsh Show is one of the most important events in our calendar, both as a proud Welsh business and a long-standing supporter of the show itself.

“With thousands of visitors stopping by our stands every day, dependable connectivity for our payment systems is essential to keeping queues moving and making sure customers can quickly grab a drink and get back to enjoying their day.

“Having a dedicated 5G+ network slice gives us greater confidence that we can continue serving people smoothly, even during the busiest periods.”

Fire and Flank is exhibiting at the Royal Welsh Show for the first time.

Founder and director David Evans said: “When demand is high, the last thing any business wants is connectivity issues slowing down card payments or creating long queues.

“Reliable connectivity for our electronic point-of-sale systems helps us serve customers quickly, deliver a great experience and focus on what matters most, sharing our food with visitors.”

The technology is also being used by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s communications team and 2026 show ambassador Teleri-Haf Thomas.

It will allow them to livestream, upload videos and share content from the showground, even when tens of thousands of visitors are using the public network.

Aled Jones, chief executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, said mobile connectivity had become increasingly important to the running of the event.

He said: “The Royal Welsh Show is about bringing together hundreds of thousands of people from across Wales and beyond, and connectivity has become an increasingly important part of that experience.

“From supporting exhibitors and traders to helping our team deliver the event safely and efficiently, reliable mobile connectivity plays a vital role.

“Working with BT to showcase 5G+ network slicing demonstrates how next-generation mobile technology can support critical operations while helping us share the best of Welsh agriculture, food and rural life with audiences both on the showground and online.”

The Royal Welsh Show trial is described as one of the first large-scale public demonstrations in the UK of network slicing being used to support both business-critical services and visitor experiences at a major event.

BT is preparing to launch its first network slicing services to customers later this summer.

Adam Price, the Welsh Government’s Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, said: “It is important that visitors and businesses alike experience high-quality digital connectivity at nationally significant events like the Royal Welsh Show.

“BT and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society have committed to ensuring the event benefits from world-class technology, and I am pleased Welsh Government collaboration has helped to make this possible.”

Greg McCall, BT’s chief security and networks officer, said the technology could provide businesses and organisations with more predictable connectivity during major events.

He said: “Whether it is buying food and drink from local traders, sharing moments from the show on social media or following the action online, people increasingly expect seamless connectivity wherever they are.

“By providing dedicated, high-performance connectivity for specific applications, we are helping businesses keep payments flowing, enabling reliable livestreaming and content uploads, and showing how next-generation mobile technology can support better experiences for organisations and consumers alike.”

BT has upgraded equipment at the Royal Welsh Showground and a neighbouring mobile mast in Builth Wells as part of the project.

The company says it has invested more than £500 million in fixed and mobile connectivity across Wales since 2020.

 

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