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News

Haverfordwest: Withybush Hospital confirms H1N1 Swine Flu cases

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withybushhospHYWEL DDA University Health Board has confirmed that a number of cases of Swine Flu have been treated at Withybush Hospital over the last fortnight.

In a media statement, Teresa Owen, Director of Public Health for Hywel Dda UHB, said: “We have had an isolated number of cases of Flu A (H1N1) confirmed over the last fortnight in Withybush Hospital.

“Appropriate infection control measures are in place to reduce the risk of infection and visitors are requested not to visit patients if they have been feeling unwell themselves.

“There are three types of influenza virus, known as A, B and C. You can catch flu – short for influenza – all year round, but it’s especially common in winter, which is why it’s also known as “seasonal flu”.

“Winter illnesses such as flu are now circulating in the community; if you are experiencing these symptoms it is important to wash and dry your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet and before you handle food to prevent it being passed on to others.

“If you are otherwise fit and healthy, there’s usually no need to visit your GP if you have flu-like symptoms. You should just rest at home until you feel better, while keeping warm, drinking plenty of water and taking painkillers if necessary. You can also help stop the spread of flu by avoiding unnecessary contact with other people while you’re infectious.

“It’s not too late to be protected from flu; contact your GP or pharmacist to see if you are eligible for a free NHS vaccine.”

Swine flu is a particularly infectious disease, however the overwhelming majority of patients experience mild symptoms. Some persons are in higher risk groups, such as those with asthma, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, or who are pregnant or have a weakened immune system.

In the summer of 2009, an outbreak of swine flu in the UK peaked at 110,000 new cases a week.

A spokesperson told The Herald: “This is a small number of patients and this is normal for this time of year.”

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. tomos

    February 27, 2016 at 9:01 am

    FORTNIGHT? Blimey, an english hospital wouldn’t have kept it quiet for so long, they’d have notified the press and the media so other ppl could take precautions or If they had the symptoms not just assume a bad cold until too late 🙁

    I guess this shows how the trust works (bit like growing mushrooms) – keep them in the dark and feed them ……

  2. tomos

    February 27, 2016 at 9:03 am

    @ tomos:
    or am I wrong?

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Community

Police operation in St Florence after girl goes missing

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A LARGE police response was launched in St Florence on Sunday morning (Apr 6) following reports of a missing child.

Emergency services, including multiple police vehicles and a helicopter, were seen speeding to the quiet Pembrokeshire village shortly after 10:00am with sirens sounding.

The Herald understands that the missing person was a six-year-old girl, and that officers began immediate door-to-door inquiries in an effort to locate her.

One local resident said: “Police knocked on my door at around 10:30am saying a six-year-old was missing and they were concerned. They were asking for any information and knocking on all the properties.”

Another witness added: “I saw a police helicopter just after ten-o-clock in the morning. There was so much police activity— so many police cars.”

Fortunately, the girl was found safe and well a short time later.

Tenby, Saundersfoot and Narberth Police posted an update on social media, saying: “There has been a large police presence in St Florence this morning following a report of a missing person.

“We can confirm that the person has been located safe and well.

“Thank you to the local community for their support and patience.”

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Health

New patient deal aims to cut NHS waiting times across Wales

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A NEW deal between the NHS and the public is at the centre of a plan to drive down the longest waiting times for healthcare in Wales.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles is expected to unveil a strategy this week aimed at reducing the overall waiting list by 200,000 patients by March 2026. The plan also sets targets to eliminate two-year waits for planned treatments and restore a maximum eight-week wait for diagnostic tests.

A key part of the announcement is the introduction of a new “patient deal”, which aims to improve transparency, reduce missed appointments and ensure better preparation for surgery. This deal will be incorporated into updated referral-to-treatment guidelines due later this month.

What the new deal includes:

  • Faster access to planned care with patients told how long they can expect to wait once added to the list.
  • Waiting time tracking through the NHS Wales App, with updates available from June.
  • Only fit and well patients will be added to surgical waiting lists, in line with evidence showing they recover more quickly and have better outcomes.
  • Support to get surgery-ready, with help to improve health before treatment.
  • Appointment changes, where patients will be offered two dates. If they miss both without good reason, they will be removed from the waiting list.
  • Alternatives and risks explained, so patients are fully informed before deciding on surgery.

Each year, around 700,000 outpatient appointments in Wales are either missed by patients or cancelled. Health boards will now be under stricter obligations to reduce these disruptions, and to minimise the number of cancellations made by the NHS itself.

Mr Miles said: “The NHS will do all it can to prioritise faster access to treatment. In return, we are asking the public to prioritise and keep their appointments so that, together, we make the best possible use of scarce NHS resources.

“We cannot continue losing one in seven appointments due to no-shows or other avoidable reasons. These missed slots delay care for everyone and waste vital resources.

“Evidence shows people in better health recover more quickly and require shorter hospital stays. By preparing patients properly and ensuring they understand all treatment options, we can deliver better outcomes and greater efficiency.”

The Welsh Government hopes the new plan will bring waiting lists closer to pre-pandemic levels. As well as reducing overall waiting list size by 200,000 by March 2026, the government has pledged to ensure no one waits more than two years for planned treatment and to restore the eight-week target for diagnostic testing.

Health boards will be expected to continue transforming how they deliver planned care over the next 12 months. This includes adopting more regional working models and implementing recommendations from the Ministerial Advisory Group on NHS Performance and Productivity, due to report later this month.

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News

Welsh pensioners to receive state pension increase amidst mixed reactions

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STARTING this month, over 600,000 pensioners across Wales will see their State Pensions rise by up to £470 annually, following the UK Government’s adherence to the ‘triple lock’ policy. This policy ensures that pensions increase each year by the highest of average earnings growth, inflation, or a minimum of 2.5%.

Government’s Position

The UK Government has emphasized its commitment to supporting pensioners through the triple lock. In a recent statement, it was noted that this commitment would result in the State Pension increasing by up to £1,900 over the course of the current Parliament.

Opposition and Think Tank Critiques

However, the policy has faced criticism from various quarters. The Liberal Democrats have raised concerns about the real impact of the pension increase, pointing out that due to the freezing of income tax thresholds, a significant portion of the pension rise could be offset by increased tax liabilities. They estimate that a typical basic rate tax-paying pensioner might see 77% of the pension increase negated by these tax measures.

Additionally, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has questioned the sustainability of the triple lock mechanism. They argue that while the policy aims to protect pensioners’ incomes, it may not be the most efficient approach and could lead to unpredictable fiscal burdens.

Pensions Minister’s Stance

Torsten Bell, the newly appointed Pensions Minister, has previously described the triple lock as “rubbish” and advocated for its replacement with a system that aligns state pension increases with benefits for jobseekers and the long-term sick. Despite his past remarks, recent reports indicate that he is now “fully committed” to maintaining the triple lock.

Economic Implications

Financial experts have also highlighted potential unintended consequences of the pension increase. The freezing of personal tax allowances means that some pensioners may find themselves pushed into higher tax brackets, thereby reducing the net benefit of the pension rise. This situation underscores the complex interplay between pension policies and tax regulations.

In summary, while the increase in State Pensions is a welcome development for many Welsh pensioners, it has sparked a broader debate about the effectiveness and sustainability of the triple lock policy, as well as its interaction with the broader tax system.

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