Health
Latest data shows NHS in Wales is ‘creaking at the seams’
NHS performance data released on Thursday, October 23, contained more bad news for the Welsh Government.
The number of open patient pathways increased from 796,631 in July to 800,163 in August, the highest figure on record and equivalent to one in four of the Welsh population.
Two-year waits increased again for the fifth consecutive month to 24,193 in Wales.
By the end of August, the average (median) time patients waited for treatment was 23 weeks, an increase of 1.1 weeks from the previous month.
Only 49% of red calls (the most serious) received an emergency/ambulance response within eight minutes in September, a fall of 2.8 percentage points since August.
Performance against the 62-day target for patients starting cancer treatment was 56.5% in August.
As Eluned Morgan’s administration continues to struggle with the legacy of poor service delivery and failures to meet performance targets, her successor as Health Minister, Jeremy Miles, hunted for light amid the gloom.
On the same day that the Welsh Government released the performance data, Mr Miles announced £28m in extra funding to help health boards cut the longest waits.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health claimed, “This new funding will pay for more evening and weekend appointments, high-volume clinics, and regional work to target the longest waits in specialities such as orthopaedics, ophthalmology, general surgery and gynaecology.”
The money is certainly needed.
Speaking about the performance data, Mr Miles said: “Despite record levels of demand across the sector, today’s figures show some progress in both diagnostics and therapies, as well as an increase in performance against the 62-day cancer target to 56.5%.”
You know things are bad when being below two-thirds of the way to hitting a performance target is spun as good news.
Mr Miles highlighted that urgent and emergency care services were under pressure, with the second highest daily number of ‘red’ (immediately life-threatening) calls reported on record, and sustained pressure at emergency departments.
Mr Miles tried adding context to increases in ambulance response times by adding that the Ambulance Service responded to the second-highest number of people in the red category in eight minutes ever. However, there was no getting away from a decline against targets set by the Welsh Government.
Mr Miles concluded: “We recognise more work needs to be done to support people with urgent care needs in the community and to improve the timeliness of discharge home to help reduce long stays in ambulances and emergency departments.”
Meanwhile, speaking to BBC Wales, Mr Miles’s boss said she was asking for extra NHS funding in Rachel Reeves’s first budget as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The First Minister told BBC Wales Live: “I’m really keen to see an injection of money for the NHS in England because we will then get a significant amount of money that will come to Wales as a consequence of that.”
Although that’s superficially good news, regardless of how much money is allocated to the NHS in England, the Welsh Government sets its own budget from the Treasury’s block grant.
That means increases in funding for the NHS in England will not necessarily mean an identical percentage increase in funding for the NHS in Wales.
That is down to Welsh ministers and their priorities.
Opposition parties in the Senedd are likely to press the Welsh Government to spend much more on health, bearing in mind its fragile state in Wales, while cutting spending on “nice to have” projects to bolster essential public services.
Sam Rowlands MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister, was scathing about the performance data: “As NHS waiting lists continue to soar, Labour has proven itself as the party of broken promises.
“The additional cash that Baroness Morgan is pleading for will be too little too late and is a testament to Labour’s failure to prioritise the Welsh NHS. Crucially, any cash won’t be coupled with the vital reforms or long-term thinking we need to bear down on these excessive waits.
“Only the Welsh Conservatives have a plan to roll out surgical, diagnostic and care hubs to ease the pressure on hospitals and to recruit and retain healthcare workers with a tuition fee refund.”
Health
Plans to restrict profit in children’s social care move forward
PLANS to restrict profit making in the care of looked-after children cleared the first hurdle in the Senedd amid concerns about unintended consequences.
Senedd members voted to agree to the principles of the health and social care bill, which aims to restrict private profit, but warned of “huge risks” in practical terms.
Dawn Bowden, Wales’ social care minister, cautioned that the cost of caring for looked-after children has increased from £60m a decade ago to around £200m today.
“If we carry on that trajectory, we will be looking at a bill for local authorities of around £1bn in the next ten years,” she said, stressing that doing nothing is not an option.
Ms Bowden added: “We don’t want to see children treated as commodities in the care sector; we want to see investment in the care of our looked-after children.”
Russell George, who chairs the Senedd’s health committee, called for investment beyond the £68m the Welsh Government has already committed to the policy.
The Conservative said a majority of members supported the principles but the committee raised “very real concerns” about how the bill will work.
Mr George told the Senedd: “There are huge risks for the sufficiency and sustainability of residential and foster places … as an unknown number of providers leave the market.”
He said the cost of caring for looked-after children has risen dramatically in the past decade, which seems unsustainable with councils already facing enormous pressures.
Plaid Cymru’s Peredur Owen Griffiths raised the finance committee’s concerns about the “disappointing, below par” quality of information provided alongside the bill.
He said the minister wrote to the committee in October to confirm the total cost of the bill at £429m to £455m, a full three months after giving evidence.
“Although we are grateful for the clarification, this approach is simply not good enough,” said the committee chair who raised concerns about “fundamental ambiguities”.
Buffy Williams warned the bill makes it easier for councils to place children out of county.
The Labour chair of the children’s committee explained councils would be required to find accommodation “within or near to” the area rather than the current “must be within”.
She said: “We have significant concerns about this proposal…. Given the critical shortage of quality placements, we fear these provisions will mean that children are inevitably placed further away from their homes.”
Altaf Hussain, the Conservatives’ shadow social care minister, said the bill has admirable intentions but he warned of unintended consequences.
“This bill could lead to a huge decline in the care of looked-after children,” he said.
Dr Hussain told the Senedd seven councils in Wales provide no care at all, “so the private sector is the only game in town”, as he criticised ministers for “demonising” providers.
Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru’s shadow health secretary, backed the aims of the bill which was part of his party’s now-collapsed cooperation deal with the Welsh Government.
He said £3 for every £10 spent on foster care in Wales is going into the pockets of shareholders rather than being reinvested in improving the quality of services.
Mike Hedges, who chairs the legislation committee, was concerned that details of the bill’s impact on key issues such as human rights were not published in time for scrutiny.
“The lack of timely information from the government was a theme of our findings,” he said.
Mr Hedges criticised potentially misleading Welsh Government statements about the “elimination” of private profit from the care of looked-after children.
He clarified that the bill would restrict, rather than eliminate, profit.
Mr Hedges also raised concerns about the lack of an end date for transitional arrangements.
His Labour colleague Joyce Watson called for a national register of foster carers.
Jane Dodds, a former social care worker who is the Liberal Democrats’ leader in Wales, described the current system as dysfunctional.
She said: “If we think about it, we are paying our council tax; that goes straight into the shareholders’ pockets and it doesn’t meet the needs of those really vulnerable children.”
Ms Dodds urged ministers to avoid pitfalls from the experience in Scotland, where a study showed councils spent £218m on for-profit care despite a similar commitment in 2020.
Following the debate on October 22, Senedd members backed the bill, 37-14, with Labour, Plaid Cymru and Ms Dodds in favour while the Conservatives voted against.
The bill now moves on to the second of four stages in the Senedd law-making process, which will see the health committee consider detailed amendments.
Health
Exploring the science of ionic versus ceramic: A guide to selecting the ideal hair tool material for your product
The materials utilized in the heating elements and plates of hair styling tools are essential in influencing performance, hair health, and the final outcomes. In the quest for innovation and to satisfy customer needs, it’s essential for brands and product developers to grasp the science behind ionic and ceramic technologies to make well-informed choices. BeautySourcing explores the advantages of each material and how they can enhance your upcoming range of hair styling tools.
Exploring ionic technology
Ionic technology has emerged as a fundamental feature in contemporary hair dryers and styling tools, thanks to its capacity to generate negative ions. The ions effectively break down water molecules at an accelerated pace, enabling quicker drying of hair while simultaneously sealing in moisture. Ionic hair styling tools stand out for their ability to tame frizz, enhance shine, and reduce heat damage.
Benefits of ionic technology:
Experience quicker drying: Ionic hair dryers work by neutralizing positive ions, allowing them to break down water more effectively, resulting in faster drying times without the need for high heat.
Experience smoother, shinier hair: With the power of ionic technology, you can seal the hair cuticle, minimize frizz, and achieve a sleek, glossy finish.
Heat protection: With its quick-drying capabilities, it minimizes the time your hair is exposed to high temperatures, thereby lowering the chances of heat damage.
Perfect for those with thick, frizzy hair: Ionic hair dryers and tools are especially advantageous for individuals dealing with thick or frizzy hair that often demands extra styling attention.
Reasons to opt for ceramic
Ceramic technology is commonly utilized in flat irons, curling irons, and hair dryers, providing even heat distribution across the tool’s surface. In contrast to conventional metals that may generate hotspots and harm your hair, ceramic materials provide a steady temperature, safeguarding the hair shaft throughout the styling process.
Benefits of ceramic technology:
Uniform heat distribution: With ceramic plates and heaters, you can achieve consistent heat, eliminating the risk of hot spots that may scorch or harm your hair.
Smoother styling: With ceramic tools, your hair glides effortlessly, minimizing tugging and achieving a polished look.
The consistent warmth provided by ceramic plates allows for effective styling of hair while minimizing the risk of excessive heat damage.
Perfect for every hair type: Ceramic tools are a versatile choice for salons, effectively catering to all hair textures, whether fine or thick, curly or straight.
Ionic or ceramic: Which one should you choose for your next product?
When choosing between ionic and ceramic hair tools, it’s essential to think about your audience and what they specifically require. Ionic technology is perfect for those looking to minimize frizz, enhance drying efficiency, and address the needs of thicker or more unruly hair types. Ceramic tools stand out for their ability to provide consistent results across different hair textures. They are especially ideal for those looking to reduce heat damage while achieving a sleek, polished look.
In numerous instances, merging these two technologies can lead to a successful outcome. An ionic ceramic hair dryer provides the advantages of quick drying while ensuring smooth, frizz-free results, which is why it’s favored by both professional salons and home users alike.
Finding a supplier for premium hair tools
When creating a new line of hair styling tools, collaborating with a dependable supplier is crucial for guaranteeing high-quality products that satisfy market needs. BeautySourcing brings together brands and skilled manufacturers who excel in ionic and ceramic hair tools, offering the adaptability and creativity essential for cutting-edge product development.
Conclusion
As hair styling trends change, the materials and technologies utilized in professional tools also advance. Choosing between ionic, ceramic, or a blend of both requires a grasp of the science behind these materials to guarantee that your products achieve top-notch performance standards. Selecting the appropriate technology will not only elevate your brand’s services but also provide your clients with healthier, more stunning outcomes.
Are you on the hunt for top-notch hair styling tools that incorporate the newest technologies? Dive into the vast selection of ionic and ceramic tools offered by BeautySourcing, featuring top manufacturers, and elevate your next product line to new heights.
Charity
Local MS joins Haverfordwest County for Prostate United Challenge walk
SENEDD Member, Paul Davies, has taken part in Haverfordwest County AFC’s walk for the Prostate United Challenge.
Mr Davies, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022, walked just over 3km with first team player and Haverfordwest County Academy Technical Lead, Dan Hawkins and they talked about importance of the Prostate United Challenge.
The Prostate United Challenge encourages football clubs and fans to walk, run or cycle every day in October in an effort to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK.
Mr Davies said: “I’m grateful to Haverfordwest County for inviting me to join the Prostate United Challenge walk. It’s a cause that’s close to my heart and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to take part.
“1 in 8 men get prostate cancer and I’m one of them. Initiatives like the Prostate United Challenge are a great way of showing support for those living with prostate cancer and help raise much-needed funds for Prostate Cancer UK.
“It was also great to see the progress being made on the 3G pitch, which is currently being constructed and I look forward to home games returning to the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium soon.”
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