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Health

Mark Drakeford in Milford Haven as pub tills ring for first weekend since December

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As part of the easing of lockdown restrictions, hospitality business owners let out a sigh of relief this week after a long winter as it was announced by Mark Drakeford that the sector could open – partially.

On Monday, many of us went for a pint as pubs, cafes, and restaurants can now serve customers outdoors.

First Minister Mark Drakeford visited Milford Haven on Sunday (May 2) in last minute campaigning before the election on Thursday.

It was the first weekend of trade since pubs were forced to shut before Christmas.

Indoor hospitality is still set to return on May 17 he confirmed.

Announcing the changes officially for the first time last week, First Minister said: “The public health context in Wales remains favourable, with cases falling and our vaccination programme continues to go from strength to strength.

“Because meeting outdoors continues to be lower risk than meeting indoors, we are able to bring forward changes to allow any six people to meet outdoors.

“This will provide more opportunities for people, especially young people, to meet outdoors with their friends.

“This will undoubtedly have a significant positive impact on people’s wellbeing. I’m also pleased to confirm outdoor hospitality will be allowed to reopen from Monday 26 April.

“These changes will help the hospitality sector recover after a difficult twelve months. It is thanks to the continuing efforts of people across Wales we are able to introduce this change. Together, we will continue to keep Wales safe.”

Reaction to the changes

Welcoming the announcement Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said it was “great news”.

She said: “As a nation we must all work together to ensure the vaccination programme continues and that the lockdowns and closures we’ve been through never need to return.”

Welsh Conservative Senedd leader, Andrew RT Davies, said: “Labour had ample opportunity to bring forward a roadmap out of lockdown, but refused to do so.

“Thanks to the UK’s great vaccination story much more detail could have been announced prior to the election period… but Labour chose to play politics instead of adopting the Welsh Conservative roadmap.”

Mark Reckless, from the Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party, said: “This is getting to the point of testing election rules to breaking point.

“The Labour leader is using his platform as first minister to make political announcements during an election campaign.”

So what do businesses have to do by law?

Welsh Government guidance states: “As an employer or business operator, you have a legal responsibility to protect employees and visitors; and anyone else on the premises, from risks to their health and safety. You also need to assess the risks from COVID-19 and take reasonable measures to minimise exposure to the virus.

“Risk assessments are used to identify and address these risks or minimise them. When undertaking your specific COVID-19 risk assessment you must comply with the Coronavirus Regulations and have regard to the statutory guidance and use this document to inform your decisions and control measures, recognising you cannot eliminate all risks.

“Risk assessments must be reviewed and updated regularly, whenever circumstances change including whenever the coronavirus alert levels change in Wales.

“A risk assessment is not about creating huge amounts of paperwork, but rather about identifying sensible measures to control risks. Your risk assessment will help you decide whether you have done everything you reasonably need to. There are interactive tools available to support you from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at Managing risks and risk assessments at work.

“These risk assessments will be the starting point for implementing the reasonable measures that are required to be taken to minimise exposure to the coronavirus on premises open to the public and in workplaces.

“This involves considering issues such as: whether ventilation is adequate; hygiene factors including hand washing and access to hand washing facilities; ensuring physical distancing is taking place and if 2m is achievable; the extent to which the use of screens, PPE and face coverings can mitigate risks, especially where the 2m distance is not achievable.”

Made possible by the vaccine?

As of April 29th, Public Health Wales said a total of 1,816,451 first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have now been given in Wales.

The agency said 732,643 second doses have also been administered.

Wales is currently in phase two of its vaccination programme, meaning the NHS is now inviting everyone aged 40 to 49 to be vaccinated, after successfully offering the vaccine to everyone in the JCVI priority groups 1-9.

It comes as an estimated six in 10 adults (61 per cent) in private households would have tested positive for Covid-19 antibodies in the week to April 11th, the ONS said on April 28th.

This is up from around one in two adults, or 48.2 per cent, two weeks earlier.

On April 7th, Wales became the first country in Britain to administer the Moderna vaccine.

It was also announced on April 14th that all over 16s who live with an adult with a weakened immune system are to be prioritised for Covid-19 jabs, following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

Adults who are immunosuppressed have a weaker immune system to fight infections naturally and are more likely to have poorer outcomes after contracting coronavirus.

This includes those with blood cancer, HIV or those who are having immunosuppressive treatment.

What about hospitality that can’t operate outdoors?

The First Minister has announced that an extra £200m is available to help businesses which are not yet able to open.

This will help top up the non-domestic rates grants. Mr Drakeford said it means hospitality, tourism, leisure and non-essential retail businesses, which must remain closed will be eligible for a third payment of between £4,000 and £5,000 to help them meet ongoing operating costs while they cannot trade.

“This is in top of the announcement earlier this week extending the business rates holiday for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses for the whole of the next financial year,” Mr Drakeford added.

“We have made well in excess of £2bn available to businesses over the course of the last year to help them through the pandemic, which is over and above the support available from the UK Government’s schemes.

“This is the most generous business support scheme available in the UK. I’m very pleased we’ve been able to safeguard more than 160,000 jobs in these most difficult of times.”

Controlling the crowds

Hospitality catering to households who have effectively been locked down all spring will be a welcome sight to many after large crowds recently descended upon Cardiff Bay.

Police had been given special powers after crowds gathered in Cardiff Bay on April 2nd, despite coronavirus restrictions still being in place.

Cardiff council said a significant amount of rubbish had been left by “large groups of people intent on breaking Covid-19 restrictions”.

South Wales Police has put a dispersal order in place, giving officers the power to exclude people from the area.

Covid rules at that time stated six people from two different households could meet outdoors. It followed similar scenes outside the Senedd earlier that week, when three police officers were injured.

Supt Marc Attwell said: “As restrictions have eased, the need for personal responsibility is critical and it is extremely disappointing that a small minority are willing to put themselves, and others, in harm’s way.

“Cardiff Bay in particular has attracted large crowds over the past few days.

“The behaviour seen over the past three days has placed additional pressure on not only the police but the local authority as well, and meant that officers have been diverted from other parts of the force.”

“We are asking people in groups of six or more who are thinking of attending or organising a gathering at the Senedd over this bank holiday weekend not to do so.”

Officers arrested a 20-year-old man for a public order offence, a 22-year-old woman was arrested for being drunk and disorderly and for possession of a Class A substance and a 35-year-old-man was also arrested for possession of a Class A substance.

The council said the trail of litter left a “huge task” for clean-up staff as “bins were left unused and the ground was littered with rubbish”.

“Despite the preventative measures put in place by the council, in partnership with South Wales Police, the Welsh government’s coronavirus regulations were again broken by a significant number of people illegally gathering in Cardiff Bay,” the authority said.

“The rules are clear, six people, from two households are allowed to meet outdoors, maintaining two metre social distancing.

“Breaking these rules significantly increases the chances of Covid-19 cases rising in the city.”

Now, with places for people to socialise in an organised manner, scenes like this should hopefully be avoided as people safely enjoy themselves.

Health

One in five preventable death reports related to Betsi

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ONE IN FIVE of the preventable death reports issued by coroners across Wales and England last year related to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, the Senedd heard.

Darren Millar raised alarm about high numbers of prevention of future death reports, which can be issued after inquests, questioning whether lessons are being learned in north Wales.

The Conservative MS for Clwyd West pointed to the case of Jennifer Trigger, a 71-year-old constituent, who died after suffering an acute stroke in January 2020.

Mr Millar said a coroner issued a Regulation 28 prevention of future death report last week.

He told the Senedd: “Due to a misunderstanding caused by the alert system in the Wrexham Maelor Hospital, the time-critical treatment that she was prescribed was not given until 11 hours after it should have been administered.”

Mr Millar called for a statement from the Welsh Government on what action is being taken by the health board, which has been in and out of special measures for a decade.

He said: “Last year some 21% of all prevention of future death reports issued by coroners across the whole of England and Wales were in respect of Betsi Cadwaladr.

“That is an astonishing statistic.”

Mr Millar added: “Now, clearly, we have to make sure that our NHS learns when issues like this occur and when reports of this nature are published.

“I cannot accept that it is appropriate that 21% of all of those reports which are being issued have been in respect of one single health board.”

During the Senedd’s business statement on March 12, Llŷr Gruffydd echoed calls for an update from the health minister on preventable death reports.

The Plaid Cymru MS, who represents North Wales, said: “They are there, of course, to help prevent future deaths and they clearly require urgent action by health boards.

“But, despite that statutory duty, there are worrying trends in north Wales.”

Mr Gruffydd told the chamber Betsi Cadwaladr accounted for 41% of all preventable death coroner reports in Wales, rising to 50% in 2021-22.

He said: “In the past nine months, Betsi Cadwaladr health board accounts for 80% of all of these preventable death reports in Wales – that’s 21 out of a total of 25.

“Now that to me points to a very serious ongoing problem in the north.”

Lesley Griffiths, who is Trefnydd, the Welsh Government’s business manager, similar to the leader of the house at Westminster, agreed that lessons have to be learned.

Ms Griffiths said she would ask Eluned Morgan, Wales’ health minister, to bring forward a written statement on prevention of future death reports.

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Health

MP visits local optician to discuss enhanced eye care and NHS support

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ON SATURDAY, March 16, local MP Stephen Crabb visited Specsavers on Bridge Street, Haverfordwest, to discuss the optician’s important role in providing enhanced eye care and alleviating the NHS’s burdens. This visit highlighted the considerable contributions of community health services to the broader healthcare system.

Specsavers in Haverfordwest has been serving the community for over 30 years and has become a beacon of development in eye care services, introducing state-of-the-art equipment and fostering professional growth among its staff. The store, which was bustling with activity during Crabb’s visit, also houses a thriving hearing centre, further demonstrating its commitment to comprehensive health and wellness.

The main purpose of the visit was to gain insights into how the optician’s office is addressing the challenges posed by conditions that significantly contribute to the NHS’s workload, such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. “Hearing from constituents about their concerns over waiting lists for essential treatments has been distressing. Seeing first-hand how these conditions are managed locally has been incredibly enlightening,” said Crabb.

During his visit, Crabb was particularly impressed by the evolution of Specsavers, not only as a business but as an indispensable part of the local healthcare infrastructure. The optician’s efforts in delivering essential eye care services have earned national recognition, showcasing the impact of their work well beyond the confines of Haverfordwest.

A key highlight of Crabb’s visit was the dedication shown by Andy Britton and his team in meeting vital community needs. “I am grateful to Andy Britton for sharing the impactful work being done here. It’s evident that Specsavers in Haverfordwest is playing a pivotal role not just in eye care, but in supporting our healthcare system at large,” Crabb concluded.

This visit served to not only commend the significant efforts of local opticians like Specsavers in supporting the NHS but also to emphasise the crucial role of community-based health services in tackling prevalent health issues. As the demand for healthcare services continues to escalate, the contribution of establishments like Specsavers in Haverfordwest becomes ever more vital in delivering timely and effective care.

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Health

New strategy for maternity and early years services in west Wales

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PEMBROKESHIRE, Carmarthenshire, and Ceredigion local authorities along with Hywel Dda University Health Board, in conjunction with third sector partners, have launched the Maternity and Early Years Strategy 2022-26 showing their commitment of putting children at the centre of excellent integrated services.

Launched on St David’s Day, 1 March 2024, the strategy aims to establish integrated maternity and early years services for every child, through close collaboration between local authorities, third sector partners, and health professionals. Integrating services and identifying needs early are at the centre of the approach to improve outcomes and experiences for children and their families.

Delegates to the launch of the Maternity and Early Years Strategy 2022-26 heard from inspirational speakers who presented their cases for transforming maternity and early years services to provide seamless and timely support to families across the region.

University of Oxford’s Dr. Iram Siraj OBE emphasised the significance of early childhood development and the requirement for integrated services; underlying the significance of multi-agency collaboration, stakeholder involvement, and early identification of children who are at-risk. She also talked about the financial difficulties families face in accessing affordable childcare.

With an emphasis on the First 1000 Days programme in Wales, Amy McNaughton, Public Health Consultant for the First 1000 Days Programme, stressed the importance of a public health strategy for assisting parents.

Director of the Centre for Early Child Development, Claire Law, highlighted the value of a place-based approach for improving outcomes for children and their families.

The launch event was also an opportunity to display how families and professionals across the regional had benefitted from a place based integrated model of delivering maternity and early years services.

The guest speakers’ research on early childhood development, poverty’s impact, and inclusive policy development aligns with the Maternity and Early Years Strategy’s priorities. This launch marks the beginning of a very exciting journey for both professionals and families living across the region which will positively impact on the outcomes of our future generations.

Read the Maternity & Early Years Strategy for West Wales for further information.

Cabinet Member for Health and Social Services for Carmarthenshire Council, Cllr Jane Tremlett said: “It is an honour to witness the launch of a strategy that will provide essential support and opportunities to those in need. The conference was filled with remarkable individuals who serve as inspiration for our continued efforts. Together, we are creating a community where every family and child can succeed.”

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