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Health

Welsh Language Commissioner urges quicker action in dementia care

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THE Welsh Language Commissioner has called for more action to be taken in dementia care for Welsh speakers. In a policy paper published by the Commissioner, it notes that little progress has been made since recommendations were made in a joint report with Alzheimer’s Society Wales back in 2018.

The Commissioner notes, though, that some positive steps have been taken in recent years and welcomes the reconvening of the dementia and Welsh language group. But she wants to see an increase in momentum, so that provision for patients and families can be improved in the coming years.

Among the Commissioner’s recommendations are:

  • Ensuring that the evaluation of the Dementia Action Plan for Wales collates the experiences of Welsh speaking patients and carers 
  • Ensuring Wales’s next action plan for dementia has the Welsh language as a core element
  • The need for the Welsh Government to lead on formulating a specific delivery plan for the development of Welsh medium dementia care pathways, prioritising areas such as data collection, increasing language awareness, assessments and resources, and language training.

The Commissioner also recommends the creation of a dedicated role to lead on the Welsh language and dementia to ensure the proposed work is delivered.

According to Efa Gruffudd Jones, Welsh Language Commissioner, it is vital to be able to offer care services in the patient’s preferred language,

“It has now been six years since we published a report on dementia care for Welsh speakers. The momentum that existed following the publication of that report and the establishment of an action subgroup has slowed significantly. I accept that the pandemic was a factor in that but we now need to rebuild the momentum to be able to offer suitable dementia care through the Welsh language.

“I recognise that some significant strategic and statutory steps have been taken in recent years. NHS Health Boards and Trusts are now under a duty to comply with Welsh language standards. The Welsh Government’s new More than just words plan includes a number of actions that underpin the requirements of the Welsh language standards, and together set a clear direction for the healthcare sector in Wales.

“Seeing the dementia and Welsh language group meeting again is also to be welcomed, and I hope to see this group contribute to the Welsh Government’s design process for a new dementia scheme in Wales.

“But progress is slow and as we set out our recommendations, we also encourage the creation of a dedicated role that can lead on this work. In my view that is the only way  we can move forward appropriately and in a timely manner.”

Alzheimer’s Society National Influencing Manager for Wales, Gemma Roberts, said: “Dementia is the biggest health and social care issue of our time. The Welsh Government must make dementia a priority for the 42,000 people in Wales living with dementia. This figure is due to rise to 70,000 by 2024. 

According to Welsh Government figures the diagnosis rate in Wales is just 56% – so many thousands of people in Wales haven’t received a diagnosis and are facing dementia alone without access to the vital care, support, and treatments a diagnosis can bring.  

Alzheimer’s Society is urgently calling for a fully funded Dementia Action Plan in Wales that sets out a detailed plan to increase the diagnosis rate. It is essential that the new Dementia Action Plan is fully funded – currently only 1.4% health budget spent on dementia in UK, yet 1 in 3 will develop dementia in their lifetime. 

The plan also needs to set out high quality mandatory training for social care workers in Wales, with a focus on delivering dementia care through the medium of Welsh.”  

Health

Sir Frank calls time as Chief Medical Officer for Wales after eight years

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WALES’ leading doctor Sir Dr Frank Atherton has announced he will stand down after eight and half years as the Welsh Government’s Chief Medical Officer.

Sir Frank has provided independent advice to the Welsh Government on all major issues affecting the health sector in Wales.

During his tenure in Wales, after a previous post in Canada, Sir Frank played a leading role in Wales’ response to the Covid pandemic and has supported the NHS through flu outbreaks and annual winter pressures.

Speaking about Sir Frank’s decision to stand down, Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said: “Sir Frank has provided invaluable advice and guidance, which I am hugely grateful for.

“He played a leading role in our response to the pandemic, ensuring people throughout Wales received valuable information about the virus and about how to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. I wish him all the best for the future.”

Judith Paget, chief executive of NHS Wales, said: “Frank has shown how passionate he is about improving health outcomes for the Welsh population and has led the way on improving the quality of healthcare.

“It has been a privilege to work with him and to have the benefit of his experience and commitment to new approaches.

“He has played a crucial role in being the Welsh voice around the table with other UK Chief Medical Officers, government departments and organisations”

Sir Frank has been responsible for leading the medical profession in Wales and the development of health and care research.

Speaking ahead of leaving his post, Sir Frank said: “It has been a privilege to act as CMO and a highlight of my professional career to have served the people of Wales during this incredibly challenging time.

“I would like to thank all those other civil servants, who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes, who have assisted me for almost a decade in this role.”

Frank Atherton’s successor will be announced in due course.

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Health

Pressure remains high across NHS in Wales say NHS Confederation

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A WELSH NHS Confederation spokesperson has highlighted the immense pressure currently facing health and social care services in Wales due to a combination of factors, including winter viruses, staff sickness, cold weather, and an influx of severely ill patients.

Significant Challenges Across Services
Rising cases of flu and respiratory illnesses are significantly impacting NHS services, including GPs, urgent, and emergency care. Hospitals are opening surge bed capacity where possible and temporarily increasing staffing levels in community services to cope with demand. Many health boards have reinstated stricter infection prevention measures, such as mask-wearing in hospitals, and are asking unwell visitors to stay home to protect patients and staff.

High Levels of Escalation and Delays
Hospitals across Wales are operating at critical levels, resulting in long waits for care, including ambulance handover delays. Health boards are grappling with the difficult decision to postpone non-urgent treatments and surgeries, further straining efforts to reduce waiting lists. High levels of community infections, including flu, COVID-19, RSV, and norovirus, are exacerbating the situation by causing bed closures and ward cleaning to prevent the spread of illnesses. One health board, for example, has approximately 100 beds closed due to flu.

Discharge Delays Impacting Patient Flow
A persistent issue is the significant number of medically fit patients remaining in hospitals while awaiting care and support at home. This bottleneck affects the flow of patients through the system. Health boards are working closely with local authorities to expedite discharges and free up beds for those requiring hospital care.

Appeal to the Public
Healthcare staff are working tirelessly under incredibly challenging conditions. The Welsh NHS Confederation has urged the public to treat health and care staff with respect and to take steps to help alleviate pressure on the NHS:

  • Take precautions in icy weather to prevent falls, particularly among the elderly.
  • Ensure prescription medicines and first aid supplies are stocked.
  • Check on vulnerable loved ones and practice good hand hygiene.
  • Seek vaccinations for flu, COVID-19, and RSV to protect against severe illness.
  • Use NHS 111 online for advice and minor ailments, and visit pharmacies or Minor Injury Units where appropriate.

“Staff are doing everything they can to provide care in these extremely difficult circumstances,” the spokesperson said. “We all have a role in ensuring NHS resources are available for those who need them most.”

For more information, visit the NHS 111 website or contact your local pharmacy for support with minor health concerns.

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Health

Local nurse awarded by The Queen’s Nursing Institute

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MEGAN WARE, a Learning Disability Children’s Community Nurse in Hywel Dda University Health Board, was recently awarded the ‘Dame Elizabeth Fradd Memorial Prize for Outstanding Achievement’ by the Queen’s Nursing Institute.

This prestigious award was presented to Megan in recognition of her hard work and achievements across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire.

Megan was nominated by one of her lecturers in the University of South Wales. There were many reasons that helped influence her nomination for this award. She has enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to gain experience, develop and achieve. She helped with teaching year one community children’s nursing students in the Specialist Practitioner Qualification (SPQ), sharing her own learning from her clinical practice.

Her innovation and encouragement have inspired others to feel confident within their future specialist practice and she has excelled clinically, achieving all the elements of the course to a high standard.  

Megan said: “I have always been passionate about making a positive difference to people’s lives and I feel so privileged to be in the position I am as a nurse working with children with learning disabilities and complex needs. I was completely shocked to have won this award but feel proud at the fact that I have been recognised for my work and efforts in completing the course.”

Megan is also the first learning disability nurse in Wales working within a community children’s nursing team to complete her SPQ in children’s community nursing. The course prepares nurses to become a specialist practitioner following the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s standards of proficiency for community nursing specialist practice qualifications. The skills taught involve health education and health promotion, how to improve quality in healthcare settings, leadership, and management and more.

Sharon Daniel, Interim Executive Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience at the health board praised Megan’s achievement, saying: “I am proud of Megan for obtaining this award and for being the first learning disability nurse to study for the Specialist Practitioner Qualification in Wales. It is testament to all her hard work and commitment to extending her knowledge as a nurse working with and benefiting children in our community.”

Megan plans on finishing her dissertation and completing her Masters degree, which will help further her career.

This annual award is for the most outstanding student in the Specialist Practice Qualification in community children’s nursing across universities in Wales, England, and Northern Ireland. The Dame Elizabeth Fradd Memorial Prize was established in 2024 to honour the legacy of Dame Elizabeth Fradd, a Fellow of the Queen’s Nursing Institute and a distinguished children’s nurse.

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