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

Patients living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire will be able to experience greater choice and reduced waiting times for hospital appointments, thanks to the launch of a new central contact centre by Hywel Dda University Health Board. The health board has decided to merge its contact centres in Glangwili, Withybush and Bronglais General Hospitals, to one centralised contact centre based at Prince Phillip Hospital in Llanelli. The contact centre will ensure that outpatient appointments can be arranged at the earliest opportunity – particularly for people who are suspected of having life-threatening conditions, such as cancer. By having a single dedicated telephone number to dial, service users will be able to contact and arrange appointments with ease, ensuring that all outpatient clinic sessions are fully utilised. In addition, patients will be able to request a free ‘call back’ option to avoid having to wait in a queue on the phone. A soft ‘go-live’ session is bein...

People registered at the former Amman Valley Practice are being invited to attend drop-in sessions and play a part in the consultation over the future of general medical services in the area. Hywel Dda University Health Board is holding three sessions on Thursday 21 August: 10am–12noon Community Centre, Ysgol Y Bedol 2pm–4pm Brynamman Community Hall 6pm-8pm Gwaun Cae Gurwen Community Hall The UHB hopes to gain feedback from registered patients and the general community about their health needs as part of the process to commission a permanent contract for provision in the area. Local people are also welcome to attend the sessions to learn more about the current situation. The former GP partnership dissolved earlier in the summer and it became necessary for the UHB to commission a temporary contract to protect delivery of the service. The temporary contract was awarded to a newly formed partnership of three local GPs – Dr Duncan Williams and Dr Andy Watkin, both with more than 20 years o...

Patients, visitors and staff across Hywel Dda University Health Board are being reminded to Clean their Hands. The World Health Organisation’s SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands Day on 5 May, 2014 is part of a major global effort to support healthcare workers to improve hand hygiene in healthcare. Sharon Evans, Senior Infection Prevention and Control Nurse for Hywel University Dda Health Board, said: “Proper hand washing with soap and warm water is the single most important thing you can do to help reduce the spread of infections and help protect you, your family and those around you. “Most healthcare associated infections are preventable through good hand hygiene and it can also protect you in the community as the most common way germs are spread is by people's hands. “When visiting a friend or relative in hospital or any environment where healthcare is provided, it is especially important to ensure you clean your hands by cleaning them with both soap and water and alcohol gel in order ...

A dog who visits people in hospital has been recognised for his service by Hywel Dda Health Board. Leo and his owner Colin Bond volunteer two days a week visiting patients at South Pembrokeshire Hospital. Colin came up with the idea after being in hospital himself for two months after suffering a stroke. He said: “When I had my stroke six years ago I noticed a lot of people in hospital didn’t have any visitors. My daughter bought Leo in to see me and everyone seemed calmer, so when I got out of hospital I contacted Pets as Therapy. “It’s amazing when I visit the hospital you can hear people say here comes Leo and yet they may not be able to remember other things. They all talk to Leo not me, I am just the person who comes with him!” Leo and Colin were presented with a certificate in recognition of their volunteering by David Fretwell, Head of Volunteering services and Tilly Morrissey, resource centre manager. David said: “We have been presenting all the Volunteering for Health volunt...

Renal patients have been given a tour of their new unit at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. The new £7.5million 21 bay state of the art Renal Dialysis Unit is set to open in February 2014. Two groups of patients and their families were able have a first viewing inside the building and the progress made. Alex Cottrell, visitor to the new renal unit said: “The new Renal Unit looked excellent when we visited it. “It really benefits other patients. I attended the meetings beforehand and we were really listened to and involved. They have listened to the patients and how they feel in the environment they are treated in. “The design and presentation have all been taken into account and things like having the nurses station in the middle makes a difference. “Even down to the colours and the beach theme which all makes a difference when you are there for up to five hours being treated.” Project lead, Martin Thomas, said: “The building work on the unit is progressing well, it ...