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

Hywel Dda University Health Board is calling on members of the public to think twice before asking for antibiotics to treat illnesses such as colds and flu, in a bid to tackle growing resistance to antibiotics. As part of European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD) on 18 November, doctors and non-medical prescribers are being asked to only prescribe antibiotics when needed, in order to raise awareness of global antibiotic resistance and encourage best practice among the general public, health workers and policy makers. The campaign is also aimed at raising awareness about how to use antibiotics in a responsible way that will help keep them effective for the future. Jenny Pugh Jones, Head of Medicines Management for Hywel Dda University Health Board said: "Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing drives antibiotic resistance. This is a global threat to public health and both healthcare professionals and the general public need to take this issue very seriously. “We are encouraging prescri...

The cold snap hasn’t quite hit yet but doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals are urging local people to be Winter Wise and prepare for the season. ​Staff in Hywel Dda University Health Board – from those working in main and community hospitals, to those visiting patients at home or seeing them in community facilities such as pharmacies – expect to be kept very busy helping sick patients this winter. The organisation has worked with the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, local authorities and the third sector to prepare for the busy period ahead with a Winter Plan. This is published on the health board’s website and sets out how the organisation is preparing to run services as smoothly as possible to ensure patients’ needs continue to be met 24 hours a day. There is also a wealth of useful information for members of the public on the Winter Wise webpage ( www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/winterwise ) including how to: get your flu jab and protect yourself and your community ...

Summer may only just be coming to an end but it is that time of year again to organise your yearly flu vaccination, especially if you are at risk of health complications should you catch flu. You can receive the flu jab free if you are aged 65 years or older, are pregnant, or have a health condition that puts you at risk of flu complications such as severe asthma, chest or heart complaints and diabetes. And if you care for someone who is elderly or disabled, whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill, you are also encouraged to get the vaccination. As part of the 2014 - 2015 seasonal flu campaign, 2, 3 and 4 year olds will also be vaccinated at their GP surgery using a nasal spray, and children in school Year 7 vaccinated through the school nursing service. Teresa Owen, Director of Public Health at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “Flu isn’t just a cold. It can be a really serious illness for some people. If you’re in any of the at-risk groups, the flu jab is free of charge ...

Latest 'Healthy Wednesday' advice from the Hywel Dda University Health Board - Don’t be blue – men make healthy changes this Healthy Wednesday. This Healthy Wednesday as part of Blue September we are highlighting the changes men can make to improve their health. Men’s health is not nearly as good as it could be and 42% of men die before the age of 75. Men are more likely than women to have a weight problem, to smoke, to drink alcohol at risky levels or to eat a poor diet. They are also more likely to take risks with their skin in the sun and less likely than women to visit their GP or to ask a pharmacist for advice. However, there are plenty of simple steps which can be taken to improve your health: Stub out the fags – smoking is the main cause of lung cancer and increases the risk of developing over 12 other cancers, including mouth and bowel cancers  Cut back on the booze - try alcohol-free days and non-alcoholic drinks  Aim to maintain a healthy body weight...

Latest 'Healthy Wednesday' advice from the Hywel Dda University Health Board -  This Healthy Wednesday ‘Add to Your Life’ This Healthy Wednesday why not take a few minutes to do a free NHS Wales health and wellbeing assessment? Add to Your Life health and well-being assessments had previously only been available to those aged 50 and over, but this age restriction has now been removed. It is a confidential and easy-to-use self-assessment which can be undertaken online or by telephone. It can help you discover more about your health, learn the simple steps you can take to stay fit, and discover local services to help you make a positive change in your life. Add to Your Life will help provide you with an overall picture of your health and well-being and can help you live longer, feel better, stay healthier and active into the future. Try the assessment yourself at www.addtoyourlife.co.uk , or you can take the assessment over the telephone by calling NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47...

Latest 'Healthy Wednesday' advice from the Hywel Dda University Health Board -  This Healthy Wednesday Look after your Liver! This Healthy Wednesday we are raising awareness of hepatitis. Anyone who has used drugs may be at risk of infection, as well as those who have had a blood transfusion before 1991 or had tattoos/piercings undertaken in non-hygenic surroundings. So what can you do to avoid becoming infected with hepatitis? These are simple steps that can be followed: Do not share any drug paraphernalia. This includes needles, filters, spoons, crack pipes, water, straws or notes for snorting  Never share personal items such as razors or toothbrushes  Always use a condom when having sex  If having tattoos or piercings, always use a reputable practitioner and ensure that the equipment used is sterile  Of those infected by hepatitis B, ten per cent will become lifelong carriers. These are the people at risk of serious liver damage without treatment to s...

Latest 'Healthy Wednesday' advice from the Hywel Dda University Health Board -  It’s Healthy Wednesday – think and talk about what you drink! This Healthy Wednesday we are asking you to think and talk about what you drink. No matter how much you drink it is important to keep an eye on your alcohol consumption. Binge drinking often hits the news headlines but did you know over 45s are three times more likely to drink alcohol every day? The NHS recommends that men drink no more than 3-4 units a day and women no more than 2-3 units a day and that you have at least two alcohol-free days every week. Therefore, if you choose to drink, stick within the guidelines. You can find out how many units are in your favourite drinks with the unit checker http://change4lifewales.org.uk/adults/alcohol/drinks-checker/?lang=en or use the interactive calculator at www.drinkwisewales.org.uk you may well be surprised at what you should be drinking. Teresa Owen, Director of Public Health at Hywel ...

Latest 'Healthy Wednesday' advice from the Hywel Dda University Health Board - This Healthy Wednesday – have you thought about the cost of smoking? This Healthy Wednesday we are asking smokers to think about the cost of smoking – not just to their health but also to their pocket! If you smoke just five cigarettes a day quitting for a year could save you over £600 and if you smoke 20 a day that figure rises to over £2,500! You can find out much you can save by using the special calculator at www.stopsmokingwales.com/smoking-calculator There are many reasons to quit and giving up smoking is the biggest single thing you can do to improve your health and you don’t need to do it alone! There is a lot of help and support out there and you are four times more likely to succeed using an NHS stop smoking service than if you try to quit alone. You can speak to a Health Information Adviser at NHS Direct Walesby calling 0845 46 47 or make an appointment with Stop Smoking Wales in your loc...

The ‘Nutrition Skills for Life’ programme, developed by Public Health Dietitians in Wales, won the NHS Wales ‘Promoting Better Health and Avoiding Disease’ award supported by the Welsh NHS Confederation in a ceremony at the Swalec Stadium, Cardiff. This programme provides training and professional support to enable community workers from health, social care and third sector organisations to promote healthy eating and prevent malnutrition by incorporating evidence based, consistent food and nutrition messages into their everyday work. Across Hywel Dda University Health Board, our dietetic team deliver the nutrition skills training for community workers. Programmes include Agored Cymru accredited courses such as Community Food & Nutrition Skills, Community Food & Nutrition Skills for the Early Years and Foodwise (a group Weight Management Programme). Helen Birtwhistle, Director, Welsh NHS Confederation, who judged the award, said, “This very practical response to people’s needs ...

Smokers in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire are being invited to stop smoking and start living with the help of free stop smoking support sessions. Stop Smoking Wales is an NHS service offering free, friendly support for smokers who want to quit. The service offers sessions at a variety of times during the day and early evening across these areas. Carol Owen, Principal Health Promotion Specialist for Stop Smoking Wales, said: “Stopping smoking can be a challenge, so we have made sure we have a number of different sessions available to residents in the Hywel Dda area who need support to give up smoking. “We hope that by holding sessions during the evenings as well as during the day, we will make it easier for people who want to give up smoking to come along at a time that fits around their other commitments. “Evidence shows that by getting help from Stop Smoking Wales, you are four times more likely to quit, so anyone who has decided it’s time to give up is encouraged to c...

Latest 'Healthy Wednesday' advice from the Hywel Dda Health Board -  Don’t forget to make the most of screening this Healthy Wednesday As part of national screening month this Healthy Wednesday we are promoting cervical and breast screening. Cervical screening aims to prevent cancer from developing in the cervix at the neck of the womb. Women aged 25 and over are invited for screening every three years and women aged 50 to 64 are invited every five years. Cervical screening, which is also known as a smear test, is a free NHS test that is carried out at your GP surgery or at some sexual-health clinics. It is always important to go for your smear test. Finding changes before they become cancer gives you the best chance of successful treatment. Breast screening reduces your risk of dying from breast cancer. Women aged 50 to 70 are invited for a breast X-ray every three years. Women over the age of 70 can ask for a screening appointment. Screening can find cancers when they are too...

Latest 'Healthy Wednesday' advice from the Hywel Dda University Health Board -  This Healthy Wednesday – make sure you make the most of screening opportunities. As part of national screening month this Healthy Wednesday we are highlighting the importance of Bowel and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening. These are just two types of screening available and more information can be found on all screening opportunities at www.screening.wales.nhs.uk Bowel screening reduces your risk of dying from bowel cancer and people aged 60 to 74 are invited to take part every two years. . Screening detects bowel cancer at an early stage, often when there are no symptoms. You can do this simple screening test in the privacy of your own home. When you are due for screening you will receive a screening test kit and information pack. You will be asked to collect small samples of your bowel movements (poo) and put it on the test kit provided. You will need to provide three samples within 10 da...

Forget the gym – staff at Carmarthenshire County Council have been exercising at their desks! The new way of working out has been introduced in some teams following a visit from physiotherapists at BMI Werndale Hospital. It was part of Workout@Work Day which aimed to help people who lead sedentary lives to think about introducing simple exercises into their working day to improve health and wellbeing. Physiotherapist Dean Locking said: “Both employees and businesses are impacted by work place stress, injury and illness. “The aim of ‘Workout at Work’ is about giving sound advice to both employees and employers about how simple steps can improve workplace wellbeing, helping themselves and their teams avoid ill-health. “We would really like to see as many people as possible developing healthier work habits for the longer term.” According to health experts, people need 30 minutes of exercise every day to stay healthy. A recent studyfound short bursts of moderate to vigorous exercise last...

For those getting ready to holiday, a sunbed session or other beauty treatment may be on the cards, but Carmarthenshire County Council’s public protection department is reminding people to take care when preparing their ‘beach-bodies’. Customers visiting a tanning salon should check that the sun bed is fitted with tubes that comply with European legislation – that is, with a UV output of 0.3 or less. Customers should always be provided with eye protection, health information for using the sun bed and be assisted with assessing their skin type. All sun bed premises should display the relevant yellow warning posters and manage the sun beds appropriately, which includes excluding under 18s, as required by law. The council’s trading standards team carries out checks to ensure beds are tested and verified. Any sun bed operators that have not yet registered with the council should make contact. Summer is also a popular time of year for people to have body piercings, tattoos, and beauty t...

Latest 'Healthy Wednesday' advice from the Hywel Dda University Health Board -  This Healthy Wednesday - did you know there are five ways to wellbeing? The Five Ways to Wellbeing are a wellbeing equivalent of ‘five fruit and veg a day’! This Healthy Wednesday we are urging you to look at what you may currently do and to look at what you could do to improve your wellbeing. So what are the five ways? Connect… with people around. Building connections will help support and enrich your life. Make the effort to speak to family, neighbours, work colleagues and friends more often.  Be active… being active can make you feel good. Do something you will enjoy like walking, cycling or even playing a game.  Take Notice … be aware of what is around you and how you feeling. How many of us didn’t notice the flowers when we drove to work or the birds singing in the trees?  Keep learning .. learning new things can help make you confident. It doesn’t have to be something academic w...

Latest 'Healthy Wednesday' advice from the Hywel Dda Health Board -  This Healthy Wednesday Here Comes the Sun – we hope! With the summer on the way this Healthy Wednesday we are highlighting the risks of skin cancer in the summer sun. A national public health campaign is running in all community pharmacies in Wales throughout May to raise awareness about the causes of skin cancer, how to recognise the symptoms and what steps people can take to reduce their risk. Skin cancer is now one of the most common types of cancer in people between the ages of 15 to 34. Early diagnosis has a big impact on skin cancer survival rates, but many people delay seeking advice if they are worried. During this month, pharmacies will engage with people who are at greater risk of getting skin cancer to advise them on the steps they can take to reduce their risk, like seeking shade in the middle of the day, and keeping sunscreen with a high SPF topped up. Tenovus, Wales' leading cancer charity, ...

Healthy Wednesday advice from the Hywel Dda Health Board -  This Healthy Wednesday – get walking! We all know that exercise is good for us but did you know that by walking you can also see many health benefits? This Healthy Wednesday we are promoting national walking month. Walking has been described as the ideal form of physical activity and it’s good for your heart. It can be done by almost anyone, anywhere, at any time and makes you feel good, reduces stress, helps you to relax and sleep better. Did you know that walking just two miles per day has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack by 28%? And regular walking can also help you to lose weight. Living Streets organises the walking month and say other benefits are: Clearer head – blow away the cobwebs and relieve stress  Fatter wallet – save your travel fare and walk instead  Family time – go out for a stroll together or walk the kids to school  Hidden treasures – make new discoveries in your area...

'Healthy Wednesday' advice from the Hywel Dda Health Board -  This Healthy Wednesday we are supporting National Patient Nutrition and Hydration Week and promoting the importance of good nutrition and hydration for people who are at nutritional risk both in hospital and in the community. Nationally up to 40% of people admitted to hospital are at nutritional risk as a result of their illness or condition and similarly many older people and those with long term illness in the community are at nutritional risk. When food intake or appetite is very poor a ‘Food First’ approach to improving nutrition is encouraged. This means focussing on getting the best nutrition using every day foods and drinks. The main nutritional focus in hospital is optimising patients nutritional intake to minimise the effects of poor nutrition on recovery, healing and well-being. However, when you feel unwell you may not feel like eating – just when you need food the most! When you do not feel hung...

Latest 'Healthy Wednesday' advice from the Hywel Dda Health Board -  Caring about back care this Healthy Wednesday This Healthy Wednesday and Back Care Awareness Week, we are focusing on back care for carers. This year’s Back Care Awareness Week, held from now until October 11, focuses on caring for carers. Caring for others can cause problems in our own health, which are very often ignored. Looking after someone may involve helping them with physical tasks, such as getting in and out of beds, baths or chairs. Without advice and training in safe techniques, the carers may be putting themselves at risk of strain or injury. Consequently, more than 70% of the UK’s unpaid carers suffer from back pain. Carers are also at greater risk of developing chronic pain, which is disabling in a third of cases and life-long for the majority. If you know or work with carers, or are a carer yourself, help and advice can be found at www.backcare.org.uk If you look after someone and nee...