News
Success for Hywel Dda at NHS Wales Awards
HYWEL DDA UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD is celebrating after winning an NHS Wales Award for a partnership project with Dyfed Powys Police to improve support at incidents for people experiencing mental distress.
The improvement scooped the ‘Working Seamlessly Across Organisations’ award, supported by the Welsh Local Government Association.
NHS Wales Awards judges praised the organisations for working together to improve support and provide more timely assessments for people suffering episodes of mental distress.
Libby Ryan-Davies, Hywel Dda UHB Director of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities said: “This award is fantastic for the whole team involved. A lot of hard work and commitment has gone into getting this off the ground.
“Mental health practitioners are working with the police to ensure that people suffering with mental health distress receive the support they need as early as possible.”
Detective Superintendent Andrew John, Dyfed Powys Police added: “This award is great recognition of the hard work and dedication of all the staff involved in this project which aims to improve our response to vulnerable people. By working together we are striving to provide an appropriate service to people in mental distress at the earliest opportunity, and provide specific assistance which is tailored to meet their needs. We are very proud of this achievement and look forward to continuing to work in partnership and build upon the success to date.”
The project was launched after concerns had been raised around the increased numbers of people being detainedunderthementalhealthact, the high use of police cells as places of safety while they wait for assessment and the time taken to carry out the assessment.
A recent review had shown that 192 people were detained in police custody while waiting to be examined by a doctor, with a further 84 being taken directly to hospital.
Out of the 192, only 8.5% needed to be sectioned and 74% were released home following assessment.
There was a need to improve care so it was decided to bring together a mental health clinician and a police officer to triage 999 calls and respond to people who were suspected of having mental health needs.
The initiative helped to ensure the right help was provided to people and a number of mental health detentions were avoided.
The initiative has now been expanded into a year-long trial working withanumberoforganisationsincluding three local authorities, the Welsh Ambulance Service, mental health experts, substance misuse services and the University of South Wales.
The annual NHS Wales Awards celebrate the work of healthcare staff across Wales whose innovative work is improving the quality and safety of care for patients.
Nine awards were given to organisations and a full list of winners is availableatwww.nhswalesawards.org.uk
The awards are organised by 1000 Lives Improvement, part of Public Health Wales, which supports organisations and individuals to deliver improved health, healthcare outcomes and user experience in NHS Wales.
They were launched in 2008 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the NHS and recognise and promote best practice across Wales.
More than 160 entries were received from organisations, with 24 making the finals, revealing a high standard of innovative and diverse work that is transforming patient care.
NHS Wales Chief Executive Dr Andrew Goodall said: “These awards recognise the talent and creativity we have within NHS Wales; people committed to finding new ways to improve the quality and the safety of the care that they provide. They also highlight how important it is to keep improving and learning from examples of best practice that exist across the NHS in Wales. I want to congratulate all the nominees and the winners for what they have achieved and their commitment to improve care for patients in Wales.”
Crime
Labour win Police and Crime Commissioner election for Dyfed-Powys
The Pembrokeshire declaration of the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner election just has been made by Deputy Returning Officer Steven Richards-Downes.
The results in Pembrokeshire are Justin Mark Griffiths (Lib Dem) 1,209; Ian Harrison 5,168 (Con); Dafydd Llywelyn 4,643 (Plaid) and Philippa Thompson (Lab) 5,386.
Therefore Philippa Thompson, of Labour, has been elected as the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Dyfed-Powys police area.
Before the election Philippa Thompson told this newspaper: “There’s a huge crisis in funding for policing and public services. The Conservative Westminster Government has so much to answer for having destroyed our country’s economy. Labour believes security is the bedrock on which opportunities are built, communities thrive, and local economies prosper.
“Instead of standing up for security, the Tories have done the opposite. This wasn’t an accident – it was the result of deliberate choices. A choice to cut police from our streets, a choice to undermine respect for the rule of law. Our communities cannot afford more of the same. Things have got to change.
“Labour will be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime.”
News
An action-packed summer season of fun for all at the Torch Theatre
THIS summer season, the Torch Theatre invites you to get involved and to get creative. With acting, choral singing and creative writing all on offer, the Torch has something for everyone.
Tim Howe, Senior Manager for Youth and Community at the Torch explains more:
“We’re incredibly proud to be offering a smorgasbord of activity for our community. We know that having the opportunity for regular artistic expression and connection with other people offers huge benefits for people’s mental health and well-being. From May through to September we’re providing a range of opportunities for all ages to get creative – and the best thing about it is that no experience is necessary!”
This summer the Torch Youth Theatre’s production is Wind in the Willows. A firm favourite, loved by all generations, the loveable characters of Toad, Badger, Ratty and Mole will take pride of place on the Torch stage at the end of July with a cast of 40 young people aged 7 to 18 taking on this brilliant show.
There are no auditions required to join Torch Youth Theatre, and all members can be part of this amazing production. With four age-appropriate groups meeting across the week, come along to any session starting from 1 May. The termly fee (including the production) is £90.
But our work with young people does not stop there. The Youth Theatre Summer School, with activities for all, is also ready to roll.
Amazing Adventurers for Year 3 to Year 6 (ages 7 -11) runs from Monday 5 to Friday 9 August with daily sessions from 10am to 3pm, and as Tim explains, it’s going to be an interesting one:
“Someone has misplaced the end of our play here at the Torch Theatre! Through sessions on creative play and storytelling, children who take part in Amazing Adventurers, will help us find our ending and create their own original adventure story. The sessions will see the children working together, being very creative, learning about the theatre and making new friends.”
For older young people in Year 7 to Year 13 (ages 11 – 18) Loud and Clear will run from Monday 12 to Friday 16 August with daily sessions from 10am to 4pm.
“We invite your young people to join our creative writing and performance skill sessions. We need them to make a brand-new play for an imaginary future world which has banned theatres! Do you know a young person who is up for the challenge?” said Tim, who can’t wait to get started.
Amazing Adventurers and Loud and Clear will cost £75 (with a sibling discount for £65).
And Torch Theatre has not forgotten adults either. Thursday nights are for Torch Voices. Join Angharad Sanders for 90 minutes of joyous singing that’s sure to make you feel fantastic! No experience is necessary, and you get to choose the songs you sing. Open to everyone aged 18+. The termly fee is £50.
Angharad said: “We have lots of fun, we laugh a lot! We work on vocal technique through fun warm-ups that are tailored to support technique and strength of the voice. The members themselves chose the music we sing, and whilst sheet music is provided, there is no requirement to read or audition. It’s just a space to come and sing your favourite music in lovely harmony with the group.”
Torch’s incredibly popular Creative Writing sessions also continue fortnightly from 9 May. This is where the professional team encourage you to pick up a pen and tell a story that you’ve always wanted to. Introducing you to the techniques which go into creating work for the stage.
Finally, Torch is pleased to announce its weekly Adult Summer School (running from 8 August to 31 August).
Tim explains: “We are looking for adults to join our weekly evening sessions across August to build their creative skills. We’ll be looking at writing, directing and performing. This brilliant short course concludes with a showcase performance. All skill levels are welcome from beginner to advanced.”
Torch Theatre knows that cost can be a barrier, but staff members are always happy to discuss ways to make paying the fees easier for anyone who wants to access its provisions, and if there is a way which you would like to spread the cost which works better for you, please do get in touch.
Tim concluded: “We cannot wait to welcome even more of you along to Torch Theatre to take part in some incredible activity.”
To book your place at any of our fantastic and inspiring creative sessions, call the Box Office on 01646 695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk.
News
Opportunity to request changes to the 20mph limits in Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire County Council is opening up an opportunity for residents to request changes to 20mph limits in their locality.
The move follows a speech outlining his transport priorities by new Transport Cabinet Secretary Ken Skates, who pledged to put the voice of Welsh citizens at the heart of decision making on transport, while setting out a three-phase plan on 20mph.
To aid this approach Pembrokeshire County Council welcomes constructive views from residents.
If you wish to forward a suggestion, with valid reasons, for why a road should be exempted from the 20mph national speed limit in Pembrokeshire, the Council will log your feedback and review it once new exceptions guidance is available from the Welsh Government. The Council expects to receive this guidance by the summer.
The Council will not be able to log any general comments about the 20mph National Policy, as that is a matter for the Welsh Government and Welsh Government Ministers.
If your feedback relates to a Trunk Road, these also are not the responsibility of Local Authorities. For queries relating to Trunk Roads please email [email protected].
More information on Trunk Roads is available on Datamap Wales.
Please note, for your feedback to be recorded/considered we will require the first line of your address and post code.
This will assist Council officers during the review process to ensure that requests for change are made by those who reside within the same area / community for which the request is being made.
Please ensure all the required details are forwarded to the following email account for consideration:
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