HYWEL DDA University Health Board is urging people with respiratory or gastric symptoms – such as flu or gastroenteritis – to avoid visiting friends and relatives in hospital to help prevent the spread of infection.

The health board says anyone feeling unwell should stay away from all hospital sites. This includes people with flu-like symptoms, respiratory infections, or anyone who has had diarrhoea or vomiting within the last forty-eight hours.

The same advice applies to those who have recently been in close contact with someone showing these symptoms. Rebecca Richards, Head of Infection Prevention at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said:

“We always like to welcome visitors to our hospitals, and a visit can be very beneficial to patients. However, illnesses such as flu, diarrhoea and vomiting pass easily from one person to another, and at this time of year these viruses circulate more frequently in the community.

“They can be serious for sick and vulnerable patients, so I would urge people not to visit at this time if you are unwell or have recently experienced these illnesses. It’s important to be completely free of symptoms before coming in.”

Anyone who has a hospital appointment and has experienced diarrhoea, vomiting, fever or flu-like symptoms in the past forty-eight hours is asked to contact the number on their appointment letter to check whether the appointment is urgent or can be safely rescheduled.

Further infection prevention advice is available on the Hywel Dda University Health Board website.

Commissioner calls on older people to share their experiences

OLDER people across Wales are being urged to share their experiences of social care to help shape major improvements to the system.

The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales has launched a nationwide call for evidence, inviting people to describe what support they receive, what works well, and where services are falling short.

The feedback gathered will be used to assess whether the quality of care being delivered matches the standards set out in current Welsh policy and legislation. Concerns already raised with the Commissioner suggest this is not always the case.

A full report will be published in 2026, setting out the Commissioner’s findings along with recommendations for action by local authorities and other public bodies.

Social care covers a wide range of support — from help with everyday tasks such as washing, dressing or preparing meals, to support in care homes and community-based services such as day centres.

Older people who use any form of social care can share their experiences by completing a short questionnaire online or over the phone. Paper copies are also available via freepost. The survey is also open to family members and friends who may wish to respond on behalf of an older person.

The Commissioner, Rhian Bowen-Davies, said: “Social care plays a crucial role in the lives of many older people across Wales, offering vital support to enable people to live safely and independently, and have the best possible quality of life.

“In Wales we have legislation, policies, regulations and standards designed to ensure that social care is focused on people’s individual needs and is delivered to the highest standards.

“But the issues raised with me at engagement events and via my Advice and Assistance Service suggest that this is not always the case, with people experiencing care that falls short of the quality they should expect.

“That is why I want to examine these issues in more detail, using the voices of older people as my evidence base, to identify the difficulties people are facing and the action needed to address them.

“So I am urging older people who use social care services, as well as their families and friends, to get in touch with my office and complete a short survey to share their experiences.

“Alongside hearing about the issues people are facing, I am also keen to hear about what is working well so I can highlight good practice that is making a positive difference to older people’s lives.

“I will publish my findings in 2026, together with recommendations for action by local authorities and other public bodies to deliver the change and improvements older people want and need to see.

“I am looking forward to working with older people and key organisations across Wales to drive meaningful change and help create a social care system that empowers older people to live well, age well and stay connected, while ensuring they are treated with the dignity and respect that everyone has a right to.”

Scammers threaten to ‘remove people from practice lists’ in new phone fraud

A WARNING has been issued after reports of a new scam in which fraudsters pretend to be calling from the NHS, telling people they must “update their GP records” or risk being removed from their doctor’s patient list.

The automated calls appear to come from ordinary UK mobile numbers. Patients are told they must act immediately or face being struck off. Health officials have confirmed the calls are entirely fraudulent.

The NHS has stressed it will never phone patients to demand updates to their records, threaten removal from a GP list, or ask for personal or bank details.

Cybersecurity specialist Javvad Malik said the scam works because it plays on people’s trust and sense of urgency. “When you hear something about your GP records, it sounds official,” he said. “If you’re busy, you may react before you have the chance to think. Never share personal or payment details with an unsolicited caller.”

What to do if you receive one of these calls
• Do not respond to any of the instructions.
• Hang up straight away.
• Contact your GP practice using the number on its official website or your appointment letters.
• Never click on links or call any numbers given in a suspicious message.

If you have already engaged with the scam
• Tell your GP practice what happened so they can reassure you that no action is needed.
• If you disclosed bank information, contact your bank immediately.
• Change any passwords you reused and enable two-factor authentication.
• Report the incident to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
• Be cautious of any further suspicious calls, texts or emails.

Patients across the UK are being urged to stay alert and warn family members, particularly older or vulnerable people, who may be more likely to engage with an automated call.