Hywel Dda University Health Board is celebrating today after winning a NHS Wales Award at the 11th anniversary of the awards.

A project on “Developing a virtual pulmonary rehabilitation (VIPAR) service model to improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities“ won the Improving Health And Wellbeing and Reducing Inequalities award, supported by Welsh Local Government Association.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething, who attended the ceremony, said, “The NHS Wales Awards are a national showcase for excellence and celebrate best practice in improving patient care across Wales. It’s a great opportunity to learn from each other and recognise the inspiring innovation of our NHS staff. 

“Every finalist should be proud to be shortlisted for an award. I am humbled to see such passion and dedication to improving services provided across Wales. This is even more important and of even greater value with the increasing challenges that we face across our health and social care system”. 

Steve Moore, the Health Board’s Chief Executive said: “I’m incredibly proud of the team involved in this fantastic achievement! It’s because of the hard work, determination and enthusiasm of our staff to improve services and outcomes for our patients that initiatives like VIPAR are so successful. Congratulations to everyone involved!”

The Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) service has worked in partnership with Comcen and Polycom to develop a hub and spoke model of delivery using video-conferencing to link the hub (based at Glangwili General Hospital) to a spoke site (based in Tregaron Hall). This new way of working is successfully addressing the service’s staffing challenges, meeting patients’ needs, and upholding the principles of prudent healthcare.

The aim is to add up to another three spoke sites linking simultaneously to the hub site, creating a Virtual Pulmonary Rehabilitation (VIPAR) network.

Health improvements were gained by all participants attending the programme, with comparable results between the hub and spoke site participants. The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score has decreased for both hub and spoke site, and post intervention hospital anxiety and depressions scores have also decreased.

VIPAR has been shown to be a feasible and safe service, popular with staff and patients, and one which both saves money and reduces environmental impact.

The NHS Wales Awards are organised by 1000 Lives Improvement, the national improvement service for NHS Wales delivered by Public Health Wales. The Awards were launched in 2008 to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the NHS and recognise and promote good practice across Wales.

Entries were received from a range of organisations, revealing a high standard of innovative and diverse work that is transforming patient care across Wales.

To read more about all of the winners visit www.nhswalesawards.wales.nhs.uk

There’s a chance for you to have your say on the future of arts and culture in Carmarthenshire and the part to be played by the Oriel Myrddin Gallery in Carmarthen.

The special OMG Have Your Say event is on Wednesday, October 3.

Details below –

The spotlight is on dementia friendly theatre at Ffwrnes in Llanelli this week.

Canoe Theatre and Theatrau Sir Gâr present A Dementia Friendly production of This Incredible Life, by Alan Harris, directed by Julia Thomas and starring Sharon Morgan and Christopher Elson.

Mab has spent her life telling stories.

Incredible stories.

She was a jet-setting journalist, putting people’s lives into print.

As a young boy, her nephew Robert, hung on her every word.

He doesn’t listen anymore.

In a time when fake news has made it into the vernacular, and the line between fact and fiction becomes blurred, does truth really matter?

Let Alan Harris’ latest comedy sweep you off your feet with live music, film and a story that will lift the spirits and warm your heart, MGM style.

What is a “Dementia Friendly” performance?

The play has been created to enable a relaxed audience experience:

• The theatre will be well lit with comfortable sound levels.
• There will be more space between seats.
• You can leave the theatre and re-enter as and when you need to.
• Refreshments will be served.
• Friendly volunteers will help and direct throughout the day.

Ffwrness, Llanelli: Friday 28 September

• 10.30-11.30am – Dementia Friends Session with The Alzheimer’s Society: Drop into this nationwide initiative where you can learn more about dementia and the small ways that you can help.
• 12:00pm-12:45pm – Sing and Smile with Goldies Cymru
• 12.45-1.30pm – Lunch and Table top activities with young volunteers from PeopleSpeakUp
• 1.30-3pm Dementia Friendly performance of This Incredible Life, with refreshments and meet the actors afterwards. (click here to book tickets)

To find out more contact Eleanor on 07972 651920 or email info@peoplespeakup.co.uk

Show Dates

• 26 September, 19:30BOOK NOW
• 27 September, 19:30BOOK NOW
• 28 September, 13:30BOOK NOW
• 28 September, 19:00BOOK NOW

Latest news from Brecon jazz Club –

BRECON JAZZ CLUB: TUESDAY 9 OCTOBER, 8pm @The Muse Arts Centre, with Supper at CASA in Brecon from 6.10pm

IAN POOLE TRIO – a top lineup & guest vocals – 8pm

JAZZ doors open 7.30 pm. Admission £8 members, £10 visitors/non members
Top ‘in-demand’ musicians on the Welsh scene are joined by our jazz Festival acclaimed vocalist, for an autumn evening special –
Dave Jones – piano/keys
Ashley-john Long – double bass
Ian Poole (leader) – drums
Annabelle Garner – guest (vocals)

CASA BISTRO – for supper – 6.10pm
FOOD from 6.10pm at Casa in Brecon. £10 per person
Menu: Stroganoff: veggie or beef, and lemon cake. RSVP to book, stating vege or beef per person in group. [Casa is next to St Mary’s Bakery].

See you there… don’t forget to book your Casa supper if you fancy eating first.
All Welcome.
Special thanks to Rosie, who rings people not on email!
best wishes
Brecon Jazz Club team