Health

Apologies to victims of ‘the greatest scandal in the history of the NHS’

Published

7 months ago

June 5, 2024

WALES’ health secretary apologised to victims of the contaminated blood scandal, describing it as the greatest treatment scandal in the history of the health service.

Leading a Senedd debate on the infected blood inquiry, Eluned Morgan said the Welsh Government has started work to consider Sir Brian Langstaff’s recommendations.

More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV or hepatitis C by contaminated blood between 1970 and 1991, with more than 3,000 people dying as a result.

She said: “We must do better than the denials, the false reassurances, the complacency, the cover-ups, the obfuscations and the repeated failures at an individual, institutional and government level that characterised and compounded this awful tragedy.”

Although the scandal predates devolution by decades, Baroness Morgan apologised to all those who were infected with tainted blood or have been affected by the disaster.

Mabon ap Gwynfor told the chamber Sir Brian’s report was an “utterly damning indictment of an entrenched culture of institutional abuse, governmental neglect and political obfuscation”.

Plaid Cymru’s shadow health secretary hoped the report would prove a watershed moment in addressing an imbalance of power at the heart of the criminal justice system.

He said: “From the Hillsborough disaster to the Post Office Horizon scandal, the wheels of justice can often turn far too slowly when it comes to the misdemeanours of the wealthy.”

Sam Rowlands, his Conservative counterpart, described the infected blood scandal as one of the most grotesque miscarriages of justice in British history.

He welcomed the Victims and Prisoners Bill, which will create an arm’s-length body to administer compensation to victims, passing through Parliament pre-general election.

Julie Morgan, who has campaigned on the issue for decades as an MS and an MP for Cardiff North, paid tribute to those who had their lives incomprehensibly turned upside down.

She said: “When haemophilia patients were told about their HIV diagnosis, it was a terrifying ordeal – a death sentence, with life-expectancy estimates of between two and five years.

“The stigma was horrendous and the majority of patients kept their status secret.”

Stressing the importance of implementing the recommendations, Ms Morgan warned many people are worried about false hope because it has taken 40 years to get to this point.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, who chairs the Senedd’s cross-party group on haemophilia and infected blood, agreed that the fight for justice must continue.

Mark Isherwood, the Conservative MS for North Wales, said the five-year inquiry found infected blood was not an accident and was avoidable.

He said: “Contaminated blood has had and continues to have a devastating impact on the lives of thousands of infected people and their families.”

John Griffiths, a Labour backbencher, who has represented Newport East since 1999, joined other members in paying tribute to campaigner Lynne Kelly, who chairs Haemophilia Wales.

Highlighting the stigma around HIV/AIDS at the time, he said the family home of Colin John Smith, who died aged seven weighing only 13lb, was daubed with abuse and graffiti.

Mr Griffiths told the chamber: “It was a terrible scandal and indictment of the systems at the time – and so many families suffered in the way that these families did.”

Plaid Cymru’s Sioned Williams raised the concerns of two sisters from the Swansea valley, whose father Arwyn Davies died in 1992 due to the “appalling, unforgivable” scandal.

She said: “To date, children who lost parents, like Rhian and Sharon, have never been provided with compensation or recognition of their father’s death. They haven’t even received a letter of apology from their local health board.”

Hefin David, who is vice-chair of the cross-party group, paid tribute to campaigners in his constituency, including Nicholas Moran, Susan Hughes, Janet Morgan, and Kirk Ellis.

Wearing a tie in the campaign’s colours, the Labour MS for Caerphilly raised Mr Ellis’ concerns about the UK Government’s proposed lump-sum compensation scheme.

Dr David said: “He points out that in Scotland the Scottish Government has guaranteed that ongoing current support payments are for life, as well as the lump-sum compensation payments proposed by the UK Government in response to Sir Brian’s report.”

Outside the Senedd, Dr David said: “It has taken us a long time to get to where we are today, and it is a tribute to the hard work of campaigners and all those who have been affected by this scandal, whether directly or indirectly.

“The role of my constituents who have regularly contacted me about this issue over the years cannot be understated.

“I have done a lot of work with Kirk Ellis in particular, who is from Caerphilly. These residents wanted me to tell their story of how the infected blood scandal affected them and their loved ones, but they also want to raise concerns about how the UK Government could implement a proposed compensation scheme going forward”.

Dr David highlighted the need for the UK Government to work with the Welsh Government and implement the report’s recommendations “in full and without delay”.

Plaid Cymru’s Luke Fletcher said Debroah James, a constituent from Bridgend, has fought for 42 years to uncover the truth of the death of her brother, who was a police officer.

He said: “People in positions of authority vilified these families for raising concerns, accused them of lying, accused them of giving life to rumours. Corruption is the long and short of it, isn’t it – a bid to save money. What an indictment of our system.”

Labour backbencher Jenny Rathbone agreed that it is more than a treatment scandal, saying: “This is about a criminal cover-up.”

The Cardiff Central MS backed Sir Brian’s calls for a legal duty of candour for civil servants and ministers to ensure they are not “continuing to be less than candid with the truth”.

Acknowledging concerns about unrecognised cases, Baroness Morgan said part of the issue is problems with NHS records that are required to make compensation claims.

She said the Welsh Government has established a new infected blood inquiry group, chaired by Push Mangat, the new deputy chief medical officer, to consider the next steps.

She explained: “It will work with health boards, the Welsh Blood Service, Public Health Wales and policy officials to ensure we look at the wrongs of the past and work together to ensure this can never happen again.”

Closing the debate on June 4, Baroness Morgan said: “Tonight I think we unite as a chamber and as a parliament, and I’m sure you’ll join with me to pay tribute to those who have suffered as a result of this – the greatest scandal in the history of the NHS.”

MSs unanimously supported the Welsh Government motion and Plaid Cymru amendments.

Health

Hoax calls reach three-year high, says Welsh Ambulance Service

Published

14 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE has seen a staggering 37% rise in hoax calls over the past three years, wasting valuable time and resources, a new investigation reveals.

Data from Medical Negligence Assist highlights that over 700 hours—equivalent to nearly 29 full days—of ambulance crew time has been lost responding to malicious calls since 2021.

During this period, WAS crews attended 463 face-to-face incidents later identified as deliberate hoaxes, severely straining emergency services already under pressure.

Rise in hoax calls over three years

2021/22: 334 hoax calls; 84 face-to-face responses.
2022/23: 373 hoax calls; 85 face-to-face responses.
2023/24: 457 hoax calls; 163 face-to-face responses.

The upward trend continues, with provisional figures for 2024/25 (April 1 to October 31) already recording 345 hoax calls and 131 face-to-face responses.

Strain across Wales

The geographic impact is widespread, with hoax calls reported in all areas of Wales. WAS officials warn that such incidents divert resources from genuine emergencies, potentially putting lives at risk.

A call to action

The 701 hours spent on hoax calls between 2021 and 2024 represent a critical drain on ambulance availability. A WAS spokesperson said: “Every minute wasted on a hoax call is a minute lost to someone in real need. These actions have serious, life-threatening consequences.”

“The Welsh Ambulance Service is urging the public to recognize the harm caused by hoax calls and act responsibly.

“For information or to report suspicious activity, contact the Welsh Ambulance Service through their official channels.”

Charity

Hog roast celebration to mark 60 years of caravan site raises funds for charity

Published

2 days ago

December 17, 2024

Richard Lewis

A PEMBROKESHIRE couple who held a hog roast celebration to mark their caravan site’s 60^th anniversary, have donated funds raised on the night to the Wales Air Ambulance.

Anthony and Alys Daye, who own Brandy Brook Caravan and Camping site in Haycastle recently handed over a cheque for £684 to the lifesaving charity.

Alys, who has two sons and two daughters, as well as five grandchildren said: “We live in such a beautiful, secluded part of North Pembrokeshire and appreciate the importance of the air ambulance.

“Thousands of visitors head to our region each year and we are part of a big farming community too. We produce fattened lamb as well as running the camp site.

“Living where we do it is always reassuring to know that the service is there if someone is facing a critical health situation.”

The Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.

It is delivered via a unique Third Sector and Public Sector partnership. The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the charity’s vehicles.

62-year-old Alys said: “We wanted to do something special to mark the 60^th anniversary of the caravan site.

“It’s been in the family all that time. My parents opened it, then we supported them as they got older and we took over when they both passed away.”

She continued: “We are totally off grid, with the ethos and fundamental things not changing much since 1962. It’s very back to basics, which is the market we are looking for, for those who want to get away from it all.

“We are at the bottom of a wooded valley, with a brook running through it with trout. Otters have been spotted there too and there is plenty of wildlife in the surrounding woodland.”

Alys says there have been “a number of different incidents nearby”, where “holidaymakers have needed the air ambulance”.

She said: “The service is essential, and that’s why we decided to hold a pig roast, inviting family, friends, and our loyal customers.

“We thought instead of charging people to come along, it would be nice to ask for donations for the air ambulance.

“There was one chap who was so generous, he brought along a mini-motorbike and then decided to auction it off to help raise funds, which was so kind of him.”

The Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £11.2 million every year to keep its helicopters in the air and its rapid response vehicles on the road and attends around 4,000 patients each year.

Alys said: “We support the charity throughout the year by keeping a collection box on the counter in the shop and we ask people to donate.

“But we would really like to do another event in aid of the air ambulance next year.”

Mike May, Regional Fundraising Manager for Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire said: “We are hugely grateful to Alys and Anthony Daye for thinking of us on the 60^th anniversary of their family-run business!

“It’s an honour that our charity was the sole beneficiary of their fundraiser to celebrate their caravan site. I am sure it has brought much joy to thousands of people over the decades.

“We travel the length and breadth of Wales each year helping thousands of people wherever and whenever they need us. Without the kindness of our supporters, like the Dayes we really would not be able to continue to do what we do.”

Health

Protect yourself with a flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine as drop-in sessions start

Published

2 days ago

December 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

WITH flu circulating in the community, Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) is encouraging everyone who is eligible to drop-in for their flu and COVID-19 vaccines to help protect themselves this winter.

Flu and COVID-19 viruses can cause serious illness, especially in younger children, clinically vulnerable individuals and older adults that sometimes require hospitalisation.

Vaccination centres will be open, no appointment needed on the 23^rd, 24^th and 27^th December for all people eligible for flu and COVID-19 vaccination. This includes children aged 2 (on 31 August 2024) to those in year 11 who can access the nasal flu vaccine at the centres.

Drop in any time between 09.15am and 5.30 pm to your nearest vaccination centre:

Aberaeron (Aberaeron Integrated Care Centre, Vicarage Hill, Aberaeron SA46 0DY)
Llanelli (Unit 2a, Dafen Industrial Estate, Heol Cropin, SA14 8QW)
Neyland (Unit 1 Honeyborough Retail Park, SA73 1SE)

The following groups are eligible for vaccination:

Flu vaccination

Children aged two and three years on 31 August 2024
Children in primary school from reception class to year 6 (inclusive)
Children in secondary school from year 7 to year 11 (inclusive)
People aged six months to 64 years in clinical risk groups
People aged 65 years and older (age on 31 March 2024)
Pregnant women
Carers aged 16 and over
People aged 6 months to 65 years who live with someone who has a weakened immune system
People with a learning disability
Frontline health and social care workers
All staff working in care homes with regular client contact
Poultry workers at high risk

COVID-19 vaccination

People aged 6 months to 64 years with a long-term health condition (which includes pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system)
Residents in a care home for older adults
People aged 65 years and older (age on 31 March 2025)
Unpaid carers
Frontline health and social care workers
Staff working in care homes for older adults

If you have any questions about accessing the flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine, please phone the health board on 0300 303 8322 option 1 or email [email protected].

If you are unsure if you are eligible for the flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine, contact the health board on the details above.