Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Infection prevention specialists are reminding people not to visit patients in hospitals and care homes if they have been feeling unwell. Members of the public are advised to be cautious when choosing to visit a loved one or friend if they have recently been ill or had any symptoms of seasonal illnesses such as flu or norovirus (winter vomiting bug). Sharon Daniel, Assistant Director of Nursing (Infection Prevention & Control) for Hywel Dda University Health Board said: "Illnesses such as diarrhoea and vomiting and flu can pass from one person to another very easily. "Viruses can be extremely serious for sick and vulnerable patients and we are asking for your support to protect patients and healthcare workers. "If you feel unwell or have diarrhoea and vomiting symptoms, we ask that you wait at least 48 hours after becoming symptom-free before visiting any hospital or care facility. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, it is advisable for adults to avoid contact...

Hywel Dda University Health Board are reminding people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire to Choose Well when preparing for the long Easter weekend, and to be aware of what community healthcare services are open. The Choose Well colour coded thermometer helps people to link their symptoms with a NHS service. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the full range of health services available locally so that people know where and when to access services that will best meet their needs. Elaine Lorton, Assistant Director of Primary Care for Hywel Dda University Health Board said: "We would like to encourage people to think carefully about healthcare service they choose over the holiday period. "Our highly skilled community pharmacists can help with a range of treatments including some minor injuries and ailments. "By 'Choosing Well', people will receive the most appropriate treatment for their need, ensuring that our busy emergency services across mid...

Hywel Dda University Health Board is reminding people not to visit patients in hospitals and care homes if they have been feeling unwell. Members of the public are advised to be cautious when choosing to visit a loved one or friend if they have recently been ill or had any symptoms of seasonal illnesses such as flu or norovirus (winter vomiting bug). Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Caroline Oakley said: "Illnesses such as diarrhoea and vomiting and flu can pass from one person to another very easily. “Viruses can be extremely serious for sick and vulnerable patients and we are asking for your support to protect patients and healthcare workers. "If you feel unwell or have diarrhoea and vomiting or flu symptoms, we ask that you wait at least 48 hours after becoming symptom-free before visiting any hospital or care facility. “If you are experiencing these symptoms it is important to wash and dry your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet and before you handle food to pre...

A volunteer has won a competition about the Choose Well health campaign. Mervyn Davies, a volunteer with the Withybush Hospital League of Friends, took part in the Choose Well Quiz competition during the launch events of the campaign across the university health board. Everyone who undertook the quiz, which aimed to educate people about what NHS service they should choose when ill, was entered into a prize draw. Mr Davies was the lucky winner from across the university health board area and won tickets donated by Folly Farm, which he will use to treat his grandchildren. For more information on Choose Well go to www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/choosewell   Mr Davies is pictured being presented with his prize by Hywel Dda University Health Board chairman Chris Martin.

Healthy Wednesday advice from the Hywel Dda Health Board -  This Healthy Wednesday we are reminding you to think about Choosing Well when you get ready for the long Easter weekend. The Choose Well campaign uses a colour coded thermometer to help people to link their symptoms with a NHS service. The aim is to raise awareness of the full range of services available so that people are well-informed about where and when to access services that will best meet their needs. This helps ensure that essential treatment is given in the shortest possible time and that busy emergency services can help those who need them most. Plan ahead for your Easter break by having essential medicines at home in a child safe cupboard or first aid kit including pain killing medicine e.g. paracetamol, anti-diarrhoeal medicine, plasters and a thermometer. If you do become unwell you can find out which pharmacy is open close to you over the long weekend by going to www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/862/page/46867 or...

Staff at Church Surgery and the Co-operative Pharmacy in Aberystwyth have been helping Hywel Dda Health Board raise awareness of Choose Well. It is important to choose the right NHS Wales service if you become ill or are injured. Choose Well helps you decide if you need medical attention if you get sick. It explains what each NHS service does, and when it should be used. Choosing Well means that you and your family will get the best treatment. It also allows busy NHS services to help the people who need them most. Your help with this will save lives. Owain Edmunds, Pharmacist at The Co-operative Pharmacy, said: “We are very pleased to support the national Choose Well campaign from our Co-operative Pharmacy branch in Aberystwyth. Choose Well will help to raise awareness of the full range of NHS services available and how community pharmacists play a key role. “The purpose of this campaign is to raise awareness of the effect that the winter months can have on people’s health, especial...

The latest 'Healthy Wednesday' advice from the Hywel Dda Health Board -  This Healthy Wednesday, and before the August Bank Holiday, people are being reminded that A&E does not stand for ‘anything and everything’. Evidence shows a significant number of people still go to hospital emergency departments or dial 999 when there are other services more convenient and suitable for their needs. Hywel Dda Health Board uses the Choose Well campaign, with its colour-coded thermometer, to help people link symptoms to the services and support that is right for their needs. This ensures people get the right treatment in the right place, busy emergency services can help those who need them most, and essential treatment is given in the shortest possible time. The board’s clinical lead for unscheduled care, Consultant Jeremy Williams, pictured, said: “Unfortunately, the doctors and nurses in our emergency departments frequently see people who would be more appropriately treated els...

People in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire are being reminded that they can help the local NHS to save lives by considering carefully where to access services when they become ill or injured. Hywel Dda Health Board supports the national Choose Well campaign, and will be launching a local version this autumn, to help people better understand health, social care and community services available to them locally. The campaign uses a colour-coded thermometer to help people link symptoms to the services and support that is right for their need. This ensures people get the right treatment in the right place, busy emergency services can help those who need them most, and essential treatment is given in the shortest possible time. Hywel Dda Health Board’s clinical lead for unscheduled care consultant Jeremy Williams (pictured above) said: “The aim of Choose Well is to raise awareness of the full range of services available so that people are well-informed about where and when t...

This Healthy Wednesday people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire are being reminded to Choose Well over Easter. As well as getting the eggs and food for the holiday period also remember to ensure you have a first aid kit and some general medicines in the house. Evidence shows a significant number of people still go to hospital emergency departments or dial 999 when there are other services more convenient and suitable for them. The Choose Well campaign uses a colour coded thermometer to help people to link their symptoms with a NHS service. A bilingual Choose Well app is available for mobile phones that use Android or iPhone and iPad visit www.choosewellwales.org.uk The app includes contact information, opening hours, GPS location and digitally mapped directions to the following: Pharmacies  GPs  Optometrists  Dentists  Minor Injury Services  Emergency Departments  Clinical lead for unscheduled care, Consultant Jeremy Williams said: “...

Hywel Dda Health Board is asking people to 'Choose Well' to help reduce pressures being experienced by local hospitals and ensure people get the right treatment in the right place in the shortest time possible. The Health Board’s four main hospitals – Bronglais, Aberystwyth; Glangwili, Carmarthen; Prince Philip, Llanelli and Withybush, Haverfordwest - are currently experiencing a high number of ambulance attendances and admissions. Mark Brandreth, Director of Planning and Operations said: "Hospitals across Wales are very busy today, dealing with many poorly patients. “For example there has been unprecedented ambulance attendances at Welsh hospitals, currently 22 per cent above prediction for this time of year. “In order to manage these patients we have taken immediate action including postponing some planned surgery so that clinical resources can support the demand in our Emergency Departments. “The Health Board has increased the number of ward beds available as far as we ...