Rural Health Week launched in Hywel Dda area
Hywel Dda Health Board’s challenges of providing for a rural and ageing population are being reflected by Rural Health Week 2012.
Organised by the Institute of Rural Health (IRH), Rural Health Week runs until September 29 and is designed to raise the profile of rural health issues locally, regionally and nationally.
The focus this year is on ‘Developing Rural Resilience’ and looks at the ‘crisis and opportunity’ of changing rural populations, exploring how to maximise the benefits to communities and their older residents and highlight innovative responses to the challenges.
Hywel Dda Health Board’s Your Health Your Future – Consulting our Communities outlines how currently 70% of patients in a hospital beds in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire are over aged 75 and that 80% of its hospital resources is spent on 20% of patients.
The health board is currently in a 12 week consultation process outlining how it will address these and other challenges faced by the NHS.
Kathryn Davies, Director of Therapies and Health Science, said: “Our changing and ageing population means that by 2026 the number of people aged over 75 in our area will have doubled. It is essential that we change the way we do things so we can meet the needs of this vulnerable generation.
“One way we aim to do this is by providing 80 per cent of health services closer to peoples’ homes. We believe it is important to maintain independent living for older people and work harder at preventing rather than treating health problems.
"Our Your Health Your Future – Consulting our Communities document and resources outline in detail how we plan to meet the challenges we face as a rural health board. I would encourage everyone to get involved in helping us a develop a world-class health service which is not only fit for purpose but also fit for the future.”
For more information on Your Health Your Future – Consulting our Communities there is an online resource centre: www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/Consultation
Documents can also be requested by:
Emailing: hyweldda.engagement@wales.nhs.uk
Visiting our website: www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/Consultation
Writing to us at: FREEPOST HYWEL DDA HEALTH BOARD
Telephoning: 01437 771232 (leave your requests for further information on the answer machine facility)
To ensure the consultation document is accessible, the health board can also provide versions in alternative formats, including in Easy Read and a version written for children and young people.
Feedback can be provided by:
Completing the online questionnaire at: www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/Consulation
Completing a hard copy of the questionnaire and returning to Opinion Research Services, Freepost (SS1018), PO Box 530, Swansea, SA1 1ZL
Writing a letter to the Health Board at FREEPOST HYWEL DDA HEALTH BOARD
Emailing the Health Board at hyweldda.engagement@wales.nhs.uk
Telephoning: 01437 771232 (leave your comments on the answer machine facility)
Or by attending one of our events:
Call in throughout the day to find out more at our drop in sessions
Amman Gwendraeth
2 -7.30pm 9 October 2012
Pontyberem Memorial Hal
Llanelli
2–7.30pm 2 October 2012
Memorial Hall, Burry Port
Tywi, Teifi,
Taf Myrddin
2–7.30pm 16 October 2012
St Peter's Civic Hall, Carmarthen
North Ceredigion
2–7.30pm 22 October 2012
Holy Trinity Church Hall, Aberaeron
South Ceredigion
2–7.30pm 4 October 2012
The Guildhall, Cardigan
North Pembrokeshire
2-7.30pm 17 October 2012
Fishguard Town Hall, Fishguard
South Pembrokeshire
2–7.30pm 24 October 2012
Kilgetty Community Centre, Kilgetty
Organised by the Institute of Rural Health (IRH), Rural Health Week runs until September 29 and is designed to raise the profile of rural health issues locally, regionally and nationally.
The focus this year is on ‘Developing Rural Resilience’ and looks at the ‘crisis and opportunity’ of changing rural populations, exploring how to maximise the benefits to communities and their older residents and highlight innovative responses to the challenges.
Hywel Dda Health Board’s Your Health Your Future – Consulting our Communities outlines how currently 70% of patients in a hospital beds in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire are over aged 75 and that 80% of its hospital resources is spent on 20% of patients.
The health board is currently in a 12 week consultation process outlining how it will address these and other challenges faced by the NHS.
Kathryn Davies, Director of Therapies and Health Science, said: “Our changing and ageing population means that by 2026 the number of people aged over 75 in our area will have doubled. It is essential that we change the way we do things so we can meet the needs of this vulnerable generation.
“One way we aim to do this is by providing 80 per cent of health services closer to peoples’ homes. We believe it is important to maintain independent living for older people and work harder at preventing rather than treating health problems.
"Our Your Health Your Future – Consulting our Communities document and resources outline in detail how we plan to meet the challenges we face as a rural health board. I would encourage everyone to get involved in helping us a develop a world-class health service which is not only fit for purpose but also fit for the future.”
For more information on Your Health Your Future – Consulting our Communities there is an online resource centre: www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/Consultation
Documents can also be requested by:
Emailing: hyweldda.engagement@wales.nhs.uk
Visiting our website: www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/Consultation
Writing to us at: FREEPOST HYWEL DDA HEALTH BOARD
Telephoning: 01437 771232 (leave your requests for further information on the answer machine facility)
To ensure the consultation document is accessible, the health board can also provide versions in alternative formats, including in Easy Read and a version written for children and young people.
Feedback can be provided by:
Completing the online questionnaire at: www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/Consulation
Completing a hard copy of the questionnaire and returning to Opinion Research Services, Freepost (SS1018), PO Box 530, Swansea, SA1 1ZL
Writing a letter to the Health Board at FREEPOST HYWEL DDA HEALTH BOARD
Emailing the Health Board at hyweldda.engagement@wales.nhs.uk
Telephoning: 01437 771232 (leave your comments on the answer machine facility)
Or by attending one of our events:
Call in throughout the day to find out more at our drop in sessions
Amman Gwendraeth
2 -7.30pm 9 October 2012
Pontyberem Memorial Hal
Llanelli
2–7.30pm 2 October 2012
Memorial Hall, Burry Port
Tywi, Teifi,
Taf Myrddin
2–7.30pm 16 October 2012
St Peter's Civic Hall, Carmarthen
North Ceredigion
2–7.30pm 22 October 2012
Holy Trinity Church Hall, Aberaeron
South Ceredigion
2–7.30pm 4 October 2012
The Guildhall, Cardigan
North Pembrokeshire
2-7.30pm 17 October 2012
Fishguard Town Hall, Fishguard
South Pembrokeshire
2–7.30pm 24 October 2012
Kilgetty Community Centre, Kilgetty
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