News
Health Board appeal for public to look after family members at home to ease demands
HYWEL DDA HEALTH BOARD has appealed to the public to look after their family members at home in order to free up beds for more critically ill patients.
The Health Board has said there is currently an unprecedented demand on care services across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.
In a statement, they have asked members of the public to look after their loved ones at home or to take a family member, who is in hospital and waiting to be discharged, home in order to free up beds to try and ease the demands.
The Health Board said the demand is leading to significant delays in care provision which is in turn leading to leading to significant bed shortages and lengthy ambulance waits at A&E departments, which also means that paramedics are unable to respond to other 999 calls in the community.
Social care and health teams are doing everything possible to support people who are well enough to leave hospital but need ongoing care.
Priority is being given to the most vulnerable, and alternative health and care packages are being offered as a short-term measure. More carers and health staff are also being recruited to support people in need.
The Health Board has said that spending as little time in hospital is better for patients and means that NHS beds can be freed up for others with urgent care needs.
Supporting older patients to get home from hospital efficiently is an important part of their recovery and it also protects them from negative consequences of hospital admission, such as hospital acquired infection, falls and a loss of independence.
A spokesperson for the Health Board said: “If you have a relative or loved one in hospital who is well enough to go home, but is waiting to be discharged with homecare and / or community health support, please consider if you may be able to help them to get home more quickly – you and your family may be in a position to support them at home.
“If your relative is waiting for a formal package of care, you may be able to offer support and care on a short term, temporary arrangement or you might want to consider whether your loved one could be supported in a temporary residential or nursing care setting.
“If you feel that this is an option that you could consider, please speak to the ward manager or your social worker to explore further.”
To help alleviate pressures at hospital sites, a number of Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) units have been opened, which you may be referred to if you have a condition that can be seen and treated quickly.
Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience, Mandy Rayani, said: “We are dealing with a combination of high numbers of attendances, particularly in our Emergency Departments, and challenges in health professional staffing.
“Our GP practices and hospitals are busy and while many of the COVID regulations have been removed, we still need to follow specific requirements for the safe treatment of those patients with COVID-19 and those without.
“We are working with our local authorities as there are difficulties in discharging some patients due to similar staffing challenges the social care sector is facing. This means we have very limited beds available to accommodate patients who need admission.
“Our teams are helping patients by their clinical priority, but this does mean that in some cases, waits in our Emergency Departments are hours long and far in excess of what we would strive to deliver.
“If you need medical help, please think carefully about the services you choose.”
If you are unwell and unsure what to do, you can visit the online symptom checker to cross-check your symptoms against a number of common ailments and if directed call NHS 111.
Only attend an Emergency Department if you have a life-threatening illness or serious injury, such as:
- Severe breathing difficulties
- Severe pain or bleeding
- Chest pain or a suspected stroke
- Serious trauma injuries (eg. from a car crash)
If you have a less serious injury then please visit a Minor Injury Unit. They can treat adults and children over 12-months of age, with injuries such as:
- Minor wounds
- Minor burns or scalds
- Insect bites
- Minor limb, head, or face injuries
- Foreign bodies in the nose or ear
There are minor injury or walk-in services at Cardigan Integrated Care Centre, and Tenby Hospital.
Many community pharmacies can also provide walk-in, common ailment or triage and treat services without an appointment.
A spokesperson concluded: “Your support not only helps your loved one, but it is a huge support to the NHS and social care services as well.
“Please help us to make our service safer by sharing this information with friends and family.”
Health
Rising trend of private healthcare use among friends and family in Wales
MORE than half of UK residents report having close family or friends who have used private healthcare services, according to the latest data from the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN). In Wales, this figure is 58%, slightly above the UK-wide average of 55%. Meanwhile, 32% of Britons have used private healthcare themselves, with regions such as the East Midlands (64%) and Northern Ireland (59%) showing even higher familiarity with private healthcare options.
David Hare, Chief Executive of IHPN, said: “Private healthcare is becoming more mainstream, with people increasingly opting for private services to access healthcare more easily and quickly. Our findings highlight that most people in the UK know someone close who has used private healthcare, whether through insurance or self-pay. This demonstrates a shift toward private healthcare as a convenient and accessible option.”
The survey found that 45% of those choosing private healthcare did so because of long NHS waiting times, while 27% preferred the ease of booking private appointments. Around 20% receive private healthcare through work, and 17% believe private services offer higher-quality care. Accessibility is another key factor, with half of respondents agreeing that private healthcare is more accessible than NHS options.
Top Treatments Accessed Privately:
- Doctor consultation: 45%
- Diagnostic treatment (e.g., scans): 45%
- Other healthcare professional consultations: 35%
- GP appointments: 34%
- Minor operations (same-day discharge): 25%
- Major operations (overnight stay): 16%
- Ongoing serious condition treatment (e.g., cancer): 5%
IHPN’s Five Steps to Choosing Private Healthcare
If you’re considering private healthcare, IHPN suggests these key steps:
- Do Your Research: Consult inspection reports from national care regulators like the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England and the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN). Scotland and Wales have independent inspectorates, available at hiw.org.uk and healthcareimprovementscotland.scot.
- Explore Payment Plans: Many providers offer flexible payment options, making private care more affordable.
- Find Local Options: Use resources such as ihpn.org.uk or phin.org.uk to locate private providers nearby.
- Take Control: It’s your choice; seek recommendations from friends and family or consult online ratings to find the right clinician or clinic. Your GP can also offer support.
- Book a Consultation: Before committing, schedule a consultation with a private provider to discuss treatment options and ask questions. Bring someone you trust if you wish, and take notes.
For more information on private healthcare options in the UK, visit ihpn.org.uk. For additional information, interviews, or case studies, contact Helen Trevorrow at 0794 000 9138 or [email protected].
Source: Statistics are from the “Going Private 2024” report by IHPN and Public First, based on a survey of 2,004 respondents across the UK.
Health
Smoke-free ambitions clouded by concerns over illicit market
THE UK government introduced its Tobacco and Vapes Bill in Parliament today, aiming to create a “smoke-free generation” by prohibiting anyone born after 1 January 2009 from legally purchasing cigarettes for the rest of their lives. The Bill also proposes strict new restrictions on nicotine products, including vapes, heat-not-burn products, and nicotine pouches.
Public health experts in Wales are largely supportive of the new legislation, seeing it as a potential driver in reducing the strain on the NHS in Wales. Smoking-related illnesses are a major contributor to healthcare costs, and advocates argue that curbing smoking among future generations will yield long-term health and economic benefits. This could be especially impactful in Welsh regions where smoking rates are persistently high.
However, there is also concern about how restrictions on safer nicotine alternatives, such as vapes and heat-not-burn products, could impact Welsh individuals trying to quit smoking. The Welsh NHS has invested in smoking cessation programs that promote these alternatives, and some fear that restrictions on these products may reduce access to effective cessation tools, ultimately affecting health outcomes.
Mike Salem, UK Country Associate for the Consumer Choice Center (CCC), reacted to the news: “Whilst it is predictable that the prohibition was going to be introduced, I am extremely concerned and disappointed with how little regard the government has had for consumers’ voices, particularly the young voices.”
The Bill revives an initiative initially proposed by the previous Conservative government before the election, though Labour’s version brings in tougher regulations. The proposal has sparked debates across various groups, with health advocates supporting the measures and others, like the CCC, voicing concerns about potential unintended consequences.
Illicit market worries
The CCC has highlighted fears that prohibitions may fuel an already significant black market for tobacco products in the UK. According to Salem, 2023 saw the highest number of illicit cigarettes consumed in the country, with one in five cigarettes sold illegally. He warns that restrictions risk expanding this underground market.
“It is no surprise that gangs and illegal suppliers are already positioning themselves in this market in anticipation of the prohibition,” Salem said. He cited experiences from other regions, such as the state of Victoria in Australia, where similar prohibitions have led to gang-related violence and exposed children to criminal activities, including arson.
Impact on young people
Critics of the Bill argue that the Labour Party’s approach may negatively impact young people, whom they claim are already disadvantaged by recent policies. “The Labour Party has shown that it is the Party of Boomers, and is letting young people down,” Salem said. He added that recent increases in tuition fees and levies on alcohol and soft drinks, along with tougher employment markets, restrict young people’s lifestyle choices and increase their exposure to illegal markets.
Public health debate
Supporters of the Bill believe these measures are necessary to protect public health. They argue that strict controls on tobacco and nicotine products are crucial steps towards reducing smoking rates, improving long-term health outcomes, and reducing the burden on the NHS. Advocates also believe that limiting youth exposure to nicotine will reduce future smoking rates.
However, Salem argues that the Bill may have the opposite effect. “Not everyone can quit cold turkey,” he said, noting that many people have found success using alternative products like vapes, heat-not-burn devices, and nicotine pouches. “Restricting safer methods of consuming nicotine makes it extremely difficult for those who are trying hard to quit smoking to do so permanently and positively.”
Alternative solutions proposed
The CCC says it is calling on the government to ensure existing laws are enforced first, such as banning nicotine sales to under-18s, before introducing a total prohibition. They argue that failing to do so will lead to worse public health outcomes and put consumers and children in a vulnerable position. The Bill now moves forward for further debate, with both sides urging careful consideration of the potential impacts on public health, youth, and the illicit market.
Crime
Bin lorry driver banned after “squishing” man in road rage incident
RHYS GRIFFITHS, a former bin lorry driver, has been banned from driving after injuring a man by colliding with his car door during a road confrontation on St Issels Avenue, Haverfordwest, on 22 February 2023.
Swansea Crown Court heard from Prosecutor Harry Dickens that Griffiths, 32, accelerated towards the victim’s vehicle, stopping bumper-to-bumper. Following a brief verbal exchange, the victim turned back to his car, only to hear Griffiths rev his engine, mount the kerb, and strike the driver-side door, pinning the man against his own car. Though the victim felt pain in his thighs, he did not require medical attention, and only minor damage was reported to the car.
Griffiths left the scene without stopping, and a witness alerted the police. The victim later told officers: “There was no need for this incident at all.”
Griffiths initially pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving, later changing his plea to guilty on the day of his trial. His defence lawyer, Emily Bennett, expressed Griffiths’ “deep shame” over the incident, noting he had been redeployed from his job as a bin lorry driver due to the offence.
Judge Paul Thomas KC described Griffiths’ actions as “incredibly stupid” and sentenced him to 10 months, suspended for 18 months. Griffiths must complete 100 hours of unpaid work, 25 rehabilitation days, and pay £1,200 in costs due to the lateness of his plea. Additionally, he was disqualified from driving for 12 months and must pass an extended driving test to regain his licence.
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