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Concerns over access to hearing services in Wales

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CONCERNS have been raised about access to hearing services, with statistics showing the number of people on waiting lists for a hearing aid has ballooned by 150% in three years.

Janet Finch-Saunders told the Senedd that 527,100 adults – 17% of Wales’ population – have a degree of hearing loss that would benefit from treatment such as hearing aids.

She said that 4,000 people were waiting for a hearing aid appointment three years ago but by September 2023 that number had reached nearly 10,000.

Highlighting that Wales has the highest proportion of over-65s of any UK nation, she told the chamber it is imperative to develop the best hearing services possible.

She explained that incidence increases by about 1% per year of age, so 80% of 80-year-olds and 90% of 90-year-olds will have hearing loss.

The Aberconwy MS raised concerns about a “postcode lottery” in terms of waiting times.

She said only one patient waited longer than 14 weeks in Swansea, 583 in Hywel Dda and a staggering 1,674 in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area.

Ms Finch-Saunders pointed out there is also an inconsistent spread of audiologists employed by health boards with five in Powys and 65 in Betsi Cadwaladr.

Calling for greater collaboration with independent providers such as Boots and Specsavers, she argued it would help health boards add capacity and improve access.

She said the model, which is in use in England and Ireland, has provided services at a third of the per-patient cost compared to hospital services.

Ms Finch-Saunders highlighted that the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) found that 26% of families were dissatisfied with waiting times for paediatric audiology.

She told MSs: “Health needs to work with education, which has seen a 17% reduction in teachers of the deaf in Wales since 2011.”

Ms Finch-Saunders added that NDCS has found that some children are being denied individual development plans under Wales’ new additional learning needs system.

She warned: “Hearing loss cuts people off from each other. This can increase the risk of social isolation, cognitive decline and other mental issues.

“And I’m given to understand that it can actually bring on early dementia and Alzheimer’s.

“Too often, deaf people who simply cannot hear quite often feel that they are referred to as ‘daft’ people – and that’s the stigma that we’ve got to get rid of.”

Mark Isherwood, who lost his hearing as a younger person, urged ministers to recognise that demand for audiology services is only going to increase.

He echoed calls for the NHS to work with community audiology service providers.

Natasha Asghar, a fellow Conservative, who represents South Wales East, highlighted a Senedd event on adult age-related hearing loss that she sponsored on Tuesday.

Joel James, who spoke about his own experiences of hearing loss at the event, said hearing impairment is linked to cognitive decline but when aids are fitted, it ceases immediately.

He said: “If we look at child development, we know of social isolation, the impact in terms of speech and language, and then also the social skills that can be impaired.

“And then if we look at when we become adults, in terms of the working environment, there are 4.4 million in the entire UK that have hearing difficulties.

“Many of them feel that they’re being discriminated against in the working environment.”

Russell George, the Conservatives’ shadow health minister, emphasised the need for early intervention and diagnosis, saying it can bring a saving down the line.

Responding to the short debate on February 7, Eluned Morgan recognised that hearing loss can be devastating at any age and can leave people feeling isolated.

The health minister said audiology services are delivered differently from the rest of the UK, arguing there is a stronger emphasis on primary and community care than elsewhere.

Baroness Morgan said she does not have any principled objection to exploring private sector options but the Welsh Government will prioritise public sector provision.

“If they can’t do it, then, obviously, let’s look at alternatives,” she told the chamber.

“But I would like to give this a fair wind, and I guess the health boards are on notice that they’ve got to deliver on what we’re asking them to deliver.”

She added: “Let’s stick to the plan, and, if they don’t deliver, then there’ll be ructions.”

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Police seek witnesses to Llanelli incident involving black car

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POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an incident that took place at around 10:30pm on Tuesday night (Nov 5) in Llanelli.

A report indicates that a teenage boy, who was walking along Emma Street into Dilwyn Street, was followed by a black car. The teenager, wearing a bright orange coat, was allegedly shouted at by the driver of the car, who then swerved towards him. Fortunately, the teenager was able to run away and returned home unharmed.

Police are urging anyone with information that could assist their investigation to contact Dyfed-Powys Police. Reports can be made online at https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, via email at [email protected], or by calling 101. Deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired individuals can text the non-emergency number at 07811 311 908.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Please quote reference 464 of Nov 5.

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Carmarthenshire County Council successfully delivers new homes

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CARMARTHENSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has created new homes in Carmarthen which will provide modern and energy efficient accommodation for four families.

The new development sits on the site of the former Wauniago House and features three x two-bedroom homes and one x four bedroom home.

With a focus on maximising energy efficiency and reducing energy bills for residents, the homes are powered by electricity rather than traditional gas central heating, generating a smaller carbon footprint and removing the reliance on fossil fuels. They also feature high levels of insulation, keeping them warmer for longer.

Solar panels have also been installed to generate their own clean energy and LEDs provide low cost lighting.

The homes will be allocated in accordance with a Local Lettings Policy (LLP) created specifically for the development. This will focus on providing homes for local people with specific criteria in place which considers local issues and helps to create a balanced sustainable community.

Cllr Linda Davies Evans, Cabinet Member for Homes said: “The new homes on the former Wauniago House site are a fantastic addition to the accommodation that Carmarthenshire County Council has already delivered so far this year in Llanelli and Carmarthen, with more projects currently under development for completion in 2025.

“I’m delighted that this project will provide good quality family homes for local people and makes good use of a site previously occupied by a building that was unfortunately no longer fit for purpose.”

The developments form part of Carmarthenshire County Council’s commitment to provide 2,000 affordable Council homes in the next five years. This also contributes towards the Council’s green energy agenda.

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Pembrokeshire masseuse shortlisted for National UK Beauty Awards 2025

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Pembrokeshire beauty consultant Nina Conant has been shortlisted as one of the UK’s top massage therapists after winning her way to the National Beauty Awards 2025.

As a result, Nina will now be attending the glittering awards ceremony that takes place in Liverpool on February 20.

“I still can’t believe that I’m going to be a part of such a prestigious event,” a delighted Nina told The Pembrokeshire Herald from her salon at NF Therapies which is on the Withybush Trading Estate in Haverfordwest.

Born and raised in Haverfordwest, Nina trained at Pembrokeshire College before working at a number of health and beauty spas throughout Pembrokeshire.  But two years ago, she decided to venture out on her own and open NF Therapies.

“My original idea was to open in March 2020, but naturally Covid put a stop to all that,” she laughs.

“Obviously it meant I couldn’t work face-to-face with my clients, so I tried to build my online following and get people engaged in all the positive effects that massage can have.”

Nina designed a series of online videos which introduced people to the technique of carrying out their own DIY massage techniques to help them tackle some of the anxieties and stresses associated with lockdown.

“The videos proved a big hit but then, following the opening of NF Therapies, the number of people who are now turning to me for help has continued to grow.”

Last year Nina was named Masseuse of the Year in the Welsh Hair and Beauty Awards at Cardiff City Stadium.

Nina Conant, pictured at the Wales Health and Beauty Awards 2024, where she was named masseuse of the year.

“Yes, it’s a huge honour to be shortlisted once again – this time for the National Beauty Awards which includes the whole of the UK and Ireland – but I believe it’s largely the result of the way I’ve always tried my hardest to communicate with my clients.

“It’s about so much more than just learning the techniques and applying them as a masseuse.  You also have to learn to listen to them, to try to find out precisely where their aches and pains are, but also to give them the opportunity to talk about what might be happening in their lives.”

Nina has helped support people who are going through domestic abuse, family disputes, financial struggles, anxiety, stress-related illnesses and depression.

“At the end of the day, massage is all about wellbeing, which includes both a person’s physical and emotional health,” she explained.

“Massage helps the body to detox and it’s always wonderful to see just how greatly people can benefit from it.

“I’ve met so many people since setting up the business and I’ve made so many friends.  It’s wonderful to see them coming back for other beauty treatments besides the massage and to see just how much it’s benefiting them in their everyday lives.”

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