A Tumble GP has welcomed plans by Hywel Dda University Health Board to develop 10 new community hubs to support proposed changes to healthcare services in west Wales.

With less than two weeks to go before Hywel Dda’s Big NHS Change consultation closes, Dr Sioned Richards said the hubs would have the potential to considerably reduce waiting times for patients who have been referred by their GP for a hospital appointment.

Dr Richards said: “I feel the case for change is overwhelming. General Practice is creaking at the seams; we’re not managing demand, appointment times are ridiculously long for patients – we’re simply overwhelmed.

“In terms of waiting times for hospital appointments, we all know what they’re like. We get patients coming in day in, day out, waiting to be seen, for months and months.

“Community hubs will have the potential to really change that. By bringing services back into the communities so that patients get to be seen much quicker.”

Under Hywel Dda’s proposals the ten community hubs would provide a range of health and care services particularly for older, frail and vulnerable people. 

Although the care that patients could expect to receive would differ in each individual hub, it could include:

• Care and support from a range of health and care professionals
• Local access to tests and scans, including x-rays
• Outpatients appointments and clinics
• Care before and after your operations
• Treatment for a minor injury or illness
• Planned and preventative care for people living with long term conditions
• Rehabilitation after a stay in hospital (step-down)
• An overnight stay in a bed if you can’t be cared for at home but don’t need to go into hospital (step-up)
• An assisted living bed where you can be supported to live in the community
• Advice and support around your mental health
• Access to advice and support on a range of health needs, including information on how to avoid getting ill in the first place, as well as how to get better if you to become ill

Hywel Dda’s Executive Medical Director and Director of Clinical Strategy, Dr Phil Kloer, added: “The whole community model will involve a multi-agency approach including more seamless working between health and social care, along with other agencies and the 3^rd sector working together in each locality.

“The priority will be on improving and maintaining health and wellbeing of the population, giving children the best life chances, and promoting healthy ageing, therefore all agencies focused on prevention and early intervention. We know that people’s health and wellbeing is influenced by issues such as social connection and housing, which means that all agencies and people in the community need to be involved to make a positive difference.

“For patients with chronic conditions or who need end of life care, our workforce would be located around the community hubs where they would either be going out to visit people in their homes or people would be able to access the community hubs for a range of assessments, advice, support and treatments.  Our Community Mental health team will also play a key part. We are working on the detail with partners – it’s going to have to be a team effort. But those are the needs of the future population and we need to provide most of that locally because often the things that matter to people aren’t the sort that you need to go to hospital for.”

For more information visit www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/hddchange

Carmarthenshire’s beautiful countryside and coast makes the ideal backdrop for a summer barbecue, but the county council is urging people to ensure they are kept under control and disposed of safely to prevent fires taking hold.

With the grass dry following a period intense heat, there are concerns about the risks of grass and forest fires, particularly in popular spots such as country parks, playing fields and along roadside verges.

Carmarthenshire County Council has issued advice and will be stepping up patrols at council-run locations to advise people about safety.

Grass fires can get out of control very quickly, cause extensive damage and put lives and wildlife at risk.

Discarded items such as cigarette butts and glass bottles can also cause fires.

Cllr Philip Hughes, Executive Board Member for Public Protection, said: “With the heatwave set to continue into the weekend, many families are likely to bring out the barbecue, but we are urging people to put safety first.

“Barbecues can be enjoyed safely if they are closely monitored, under control and disposed of in the right way.

“Litter is also a concern and as well as being unsightly can become a serious risk to our environment.

“We don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun but of course our priority is to keep everyone safe.”

Tips for barbecuing in a public place

• If you are planning to have a barbecue in a public place, ensure that you are allowed to do so at the location you intend to use – and never leave the barbecue unattended
• Particular care should be taken in hot, dry weather to reduce the risk of starting a forest or grass fire
• Take care when getting rid of a disposable barbecue or barbecue coals – ensure they have cooled down before placing them in a bin, charcoal can stay hot for a long time, even if it looks like the heat has gone
• Never take a used barbecue into an enclosed space, like a tent, as this may cause fatal carbon monoxide poisoning

Tips to help to prevent grass fires

• Avoid using open fires in the countryside
• Keep young children and ball games away from barbecues
• Extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly
• Only use barbecues in suitable and safe areas and never leave them unattended
• Never throw cigarette ends out of car windows
• Ensure barbecues are fully extinguished and cold before disposing of the contents
• Sunlight shining through glass can start large fires – take glass bottles/jars to the nearest community recycling center on your way home if there is no glass recycling facility in the vicinity

If a fire breaks out

• Call the Fire and Rescue Service – 999 – immediately
• It can be hard to give the location for an open area so mention any landmarks, such as a public house or a church in the vicinity
• Do not attempt to put the fire out yourself unless it is very small. Grass and crop fire can travel very quickly and change direction without warning

Barbecue food safety advice

• Pre-cook food in a conventional oven before lighting the barbecue, which can then be used to give the food a smoky flavour
• Avoid cross-contamination by storing raw meat separately before cooking, using different utensils, plates and chopping boards for raw and cooked food, and washing hands thoroughly before and after handling raw foods including meat, fish, eggs and vegetables
• Never wash raw chicken or other meat, which can cause bacteria to splash on to other foods or preparation surfaces
• When cooking, remember that disposable barbecues take longer, so move the food around the barbecue and turn frequently to ensure even cooking, and cut open meat to ensure it is cooked through

Interview conducted by Robert Lloyd with Tara Fisher of Fairtrade Llanelli.

Recorded for the Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind.

Hywel Dda University Health Board is reminding people take care in the sun as forecasters predict very hot weather for the next few days.

Hot weather can cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke, which is more serious, as well as the risk of sunburn.

Ros Jervis, Director of Public Health, said:

We know that the weather is forecast to be very hot over the next few days, and we want people to be careful that they don’t ruin their enjoyment of the sun by becoming unwell as a result of the outside temperatures. By taking some simple steps to protect themselves and others, everyone can enjoy the sunshine while staying safe and well.”

People planning to be outside while the weather is hot are advised to:
•         Use sunscreen or sun block to reduce the risk of sunburn
•         Cover up with loose fitting clothes
•         Wear a hat to protect the head and sunglasses to protect the eyes
•         Drink plenty of water
•         Avoid direct sunlight between 12pm and 3pm (the hottest part of the day)

It is a good idea to check on elderly relatives, friends or neighbours who may be more vulnerable to the effects of the heat.  It’s also important to take care with children – you should always make sure they are wearing a high factor suncream and stay in the shade as much as possible.

The usual symptoms of heat exhaustion – which can become heat stroke if left untreated – include a headache, high temperature, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and muscle cramps.

If you are concerned that you or someone else has these symptoms, you should contact your GP or NHS Direct Wales.

I would also urge people to visit the following Public Health Wales website page where they are able to access further information and guidance: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/43924 

The latest podcast from Phil Evans and Robert Lloyd.

The Big Cwtsh (Episode 21) is now on Soundcloud.

Bradley Davies has shrugged off weekend reports linking him to the Cardiff Blues, reaffirming his commitment to the Ospreys ahead of the new season.

Currently enjoying his belated break after Wales’s games against South Africa and Argentina last month, the second row will report back for pre-season duty later this summer to prepare for his third season with the region and, following speculation over the last 48 hours, Davies said:

“I’m not sure where this has come from.  I’ve no intention of leaving the Ospreys, it’s not something that’s even entered my mind.”

Davies has featured regularly for both the Ospreys and Wales over the last year, starting 21 times in the Guinness PRO14 and Champions Cup, as well as playing in every Six Nations game this spring before playing twice on tour last month, his physicality and durability making him one of the first names on the team sheet for region and country in 2017/18.

His fine form was recognised in May when he picked up the Coaches’ Player of the Year at the Ospreys end of season dinner.

“I think it’s been said I’m too old,” laughed Davies.

“Obviously I’ve had strong ties with the Blues as I spent the biggest chunk of my career there and have a lot of lifetime friends at the club, but I’m just focused on, and excited about, what we are trying to build here at the Ospreys, working with a great coach in Allen Clarke.

“Hopefully he can keep this old man going for years to come.”

Allen Clarke added:

“Bradley has been fantastic since I joined the Ospreys so it’s great to hear him talking about his commitment to the region. He is a leader who offers a lot to the environment on and off the field, he’s an important figure for us and I’m looking forward to seeing him help drive us forward this season.”