WELSH NEWS
Chief Medical Officer for Wales's Annual Report 2008
The Chief Medical Office for Wales presented his third annual report on the state of the health of the people of Wales recently. The report can be downloaded from the Welsh Assembly Government website
A successful year for Stop Smoking Wales
New figures show that over 15,000 people contacted Stop Smoking Wales for advice on quitting smoking last year - and over 50% of those who took part in the treatment programme were successful in giving up.
New money for smoking prevention
New funding worth more than £650,000 has been announced for smoking prevention. The announcement comes as new figures show that the first full year of the smoking ban in Wales has heralded a steep decline in the number of heart attacks. A total of £155,000 over the next two years will go into the ASSIST programme, where health promotion experts train pupils to persuade their friends not to start smoking or to give up, and more than £500,000 will be allocated for wider smoking prevention activity.
Breastfeeding Welcome scheme
A Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme booklet has been published. It provides mothers with a network of venues where they can confidently breastfeed their babies. More details on the Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme and a list of participating venues throughout Wales are available to download from the Welsh Assembly Government website
MMR uptake increases in Wales
New figures show that uptake of the MMR vaccine in Wales has increased to its highest level in 12 years. But with the target for uptake of both doses standing at 95 per cent - the level required to ensure "herd immunity" that will eliminate measles, mumps and rubella in Wales - parents who have not yet vaccinated their children are urged to take action.
Behaviour in schools - safe and effective intervention
This is a consultation on 3 aspects intended to support schools, local authorities and their partners in providing a safe environment for children and young people. The consultation covers new powers and duties for school discipline, parental responsibility and exclusion, contained in the Education and Inspections Act 2006; revised guidance on the use of force to control or restrain pupils and guidance relating to the new power for schools to be able to search pupils for weapons without their consent. The consultation ends on 17tFebruary 2010. Responses to the consultation can be sent to: petshare@wales.gsi.gov.uk
FSA Wales teacher pack available online
Teachers can now download a pack crammed full of resources to help equip pupils with the life skills and knowledge to make healthy and safer food choices. The FSA Wales Foundation Phase (Key Stage 1) and Key Stage 2 teacher pack includes whiteboard activities, a pantomime DVD and access to a catalogue of FSA online interactive games for use in the classroom.
Active travel and adult obesity
Sustrans has recently published the Active Travel and Adult Obesity information sheet. A bilingual copy is available in Wales. This information sheet uses research on studies relating to the impact of obesity on health, and the potential for travel choices and the built environment to support healthy weights. For further information either email activetravelcymru@sustrans.org.uk or get a downloadable copy from the web at www.activetravelcymru.org.uk
MEND project expands
As from January 2010 the 10-week MEND - Mind, Exercise, Nutrition... Do it courses will be run in 21 venues across Wales. The programme teaches children aged seven to 13 and their families about healthier eating and encourages them to become more active to help combat obesity.
New fuel poverty charter coalition for Wales
A number of high profile organisations have formed a coalition and have launched a fuel poverty charter to highlight the urgent action needed to eradicate fuel poverty in Wales. If you are interested in getting involved, or would like more information contact email Helen.roach@nea.org.uk
Welsh screening unit offers improved access for disabled women
Breast Test Wales has launched a new mobile breast screening unit which offers wheelchair access. The new unit is the first of its type in the UK. It has a large, covered lift which will allow women in wheelchairs to enter the mobile safely. At present the unit will only operate in parts of South East Wales, but Breast Test Wales is planning to replace every Breast Test Wales mobile unit over the next few years, bringing equality of service to every woman across Wales. For further information email Chris.Lines@nphs.wales.nhs.uk
Welsh breast cancer screening is the most successful in the UK
Wales Online reports that figures produced by the Cancer Screening Evaluation Unit reveal Breast Test Wales had the highest cancer detection rate in the UK for women attending for their first screening test.
The well-being of older people in Wales
The Welsh Assembly Government has published a state of the nation report on the well-being of older people in Wales. The Older People's Wellbeing Monitor for Wales is a milestone research report that will guide the future work of the Assembly and its partners in planning for the demographic changes in society.
Website to offer patients access to their medical records
Health Minister, Edwina Hart, has announced £1.7m funding for a website which will allow patients to check their medical records. 'My Health Online' - a bilingual NHS Wales website - will also let people order repeat prescriptions and book appointments with their GP. Other features of the site will include advice and information to help patients manage health conditions.
Listening to patients and families to improve end of life care
A new Wales-wide initiative will aim to encourage patients and their families to give frank and open feedback on palliative care services. The Dying Well Matters initiative will invite patients and families to share their experiences through a number of methods including the internet and by letter. For further information on Dying Well Matters please visit the I Want Great Care website or e-mail dwm@iwantgreatcare.org
Good practice Wales website portal launched
Welsh Public Sector Partners (WPSPs) have launched a new website portal to help Welsh public and voluntary services improve efficiency and quality of service for citizens. The portal has been designed to provide one easy point of access to the resources and examples of good practice currently held by the partners on their websites.
Plans announced to improve care for victims of sexual assault
New plans to improve care to adults that have suffered sexual assault or abuse are announced by Health Minister Edwina Hart. Care for victims will be rolled out through Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) - where specialist staff are trained to counsel victims, and where police and other health practitioners can refer victims for examination, screening and treatment.
Replacement of mental health facilities for Cefn Coed Hospital
Plans to replace outdated mental health facilities at the Cefn Coed Hospital in Swansea have been approved and backed by the Welsh Assembly Government. The proposals by Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board will allow for the creation of an 18-bed "slow stream" facility and two 4-bed "step down" units at the hospital. They will replace facilities already on this site.
MIND Cymru Positive Choices Project and ASIST
The Positive Choices Project aims to help reduce the suicide rate across Wales, and to promote mental health by relieving the serious mental distress experienced by individuals with thoughts of suicide. The project aims to train 13,000 people in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training by 2014. This is a two-day course giving intensive training for front-line workers and community members so that they can recognise someone who is suicidal and give them the skills and confidence to intervene. For further information and more detail about this project contact Alan Brisco at a.briscoe@mind.org.uk or telephone 01654 703487
National plan to reduce suicide and self harm
The Welsh Assembly Government is launching a national plan to reduce suicide and self-harm. The five-year action plan will raise awareness of suicide and self-harm, and help people understand that it is often preventable. The plan is mainly aimed at people who are at highest risk. The plan also outlines the challenges and priorities, and how organisations working together, will deal with them. It also looks at the causes of emotional distress, and tackles many of the issues which people may face.
A consultation on proposals for health protection regulations in Wales
This consultation provides details on the proposals to be made under the amended Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984. It continues the process of modernising health protection legislation in Wales. The consultation ends on 13 January 2010. Responses should be sent to health.protection@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Health at work advice line Wales
Free, confidential, occupational health advice is now available for small businesses in Wales free of charge. The Welsh pilot is one of 9 pilot sites across the UK. The pilot will run for sixteen months between December 2009 and March 2010. Call 0800 107 0900 to get advice to support your staff, and to reduce the impact of sickness absence on your business.
Rural health plan for Wales
New proposals aimed at driving forward improvements to health and social care provision in Wales's rural areas have been announced by the Assembly.
Consultation on plans for the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD)
The purpose of this consultation is to help us form the work programme for WIMD from now until the next major update in 2013. The main areas of work that could be undertaken before 2013 are set out in the consultation document. The consultation ends on the 8th January 2010. Responses to the consultation can be sent electronically to stats.inclusion@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Health Events Calendar 2010
The 2011 health events calendar can be found on the Health Challenge Wales website
UK NEWS
RHS campaign for school gardening
The RHS Campaign for School Gardening aims to encourage and support schools to develop and actively use a school garden. As part of the campaign it provides teachers with resources and an extensive programme of CPD days.
New BHF Bizzy Breaks Posters available
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) Bizzy Breaks Posters are designed to provide lots of simple activities including looseners, huffers and stretchers to re-energize pupils during a 10 minute activity break. The posters were previously only available as part of the new Active School pack, however, you can now order your copy by calling the BHF orderline number on 0870 600 6566 and quoting REF G70b.
How to engage inactive communities in physical activity
This booklet includes generic tips relevant to practitioners working across a broad range of communities and/or groups, and specific tips for engaging the following key target groups: people with disabilities, girls and young women, older adults, people with mental ill-health, black and minority ethnic communities and socially deprived communities.
Small steps4 life
Following on from the Change4Life campaign the SmallSteps4Life is a fun programme with a serious aim - to help initiate and support long-term behaviour and attitude change among young people across the UK.
Childhood should be alcohol free
Young people should not drink any alcohol until at least the age of 15, reports new guidance from the Chief Medical Officer for England. If 15 to 17 year olds do drink alcohol they should do so on no more than one day a week and only in the presence of a parent or carer in a supervised environment.
Children and young people and the youth justice system
This cross government strategy aims to help tackle youth crime and anti-social behaviour, and contribute to community safety in England. It sets out a strategic approach to fulfil the vision that children and young people will be safer, healthier and stay away from crime.
The government's response to the independent review of CAMHS
This document contains the full government response to the final report of the independent CAMHS review, setting out progress to date and plans for the future of children and young people's mental health. The response also gives examples of the outcomes expected from a good service as an aid for commissioners, providers and practitioners.
Improving the psychological wellbeing and mental health of children and young people
This guidance aims to pull together good practice and provide guidelines for local authorities, PCTs, government offices and SHAs to support the delivery of quality advice, support and guidance for joint commissioning of early-intervention support.
Aiming high for disabled children: improving data
York Health Economics Consortium were commissioned by the Department of Health to explore how data on disabled children is collected, managed and used at a local level. The focus of the research was fieldwork across eight health economies in England, underpinned by a review of peer-reviewed literature.
Resources to promote social, emotional and behavioural skills
Incentive Plus features more than 2,000 resources to support social, emotional and behavioural skills.
NHS stop smoking services service and monitoring guidance
This document provides best practice guidance for NHS stop smoking interventions and sets out fundamental quality principles for the delivery of services. It also includes full details of the data reporting requirements for NHS stop smoking services.
Too much of the hard stuff: what alcohol costs the NHS
Alcohol is the third leading cause of disease burden in developed countries and, as a result, the cost of providing alcohol-related services is escalating. This Briefing, produced with the Royal College of Physicians, outlines the extent of the problem and gives examples of where the NHS is managing problem drinkers effectively and efficiently. The NHS Confederation visited hospitals between August and November 2009 and gathered evidence from members to gain an understanding of the extent of the burden and the ways in which hospitals can improve their services.
Alcohol: first report of session 2009-10
This report looks at the impact of alcohol on health, the NHS and society and the government's responses to the rise in binge drinking and alcoholism.
Men get health advice on tap
People attending their local pub in Macclesfield, Cheshire, are getting a health option as well, including blood pressure checks, confidential cholesterol, weight and blood sugar level checks, they will also be offered advice about drinking, as part of a pioneering project to bring men's health services to the place where many feel most relaxed - the pub.
Saturated fat campaign
The Food Standards Agency will launch the next phase of its Saturated Fat Campaign in mid January 2010. A comprehensive range of materials will be available to support the campaign, in both English and Welsh.
Guidance on the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards data collation sheet
The original guidance issued in April 2009 was updated in July 2009. Now because an additional data item has been added for the third quarter data collection period, it has been issued as a new document
New Horizons: a shared vision for mental health
This report sets out a cross government programme of action to improve the mental health and well-being of the population and the quality and accessibility of services for people with poor mental health, with a view to reducing risk factors and enabling SHAs to deliver their regional visions for mental health.
Mental capital and wellbeing
The aim of the Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing has been to advise the Government on how to achieve the best possible mental development and mental wellbeing for everyone in the UK in the future. The final report and detailed project areas were published last month.
Sinking and swimming: understanding Britain's unmet needs
The Young Foundation's latest report 'Sinking and Swimming: understanding Britain's unmet needs' explores how psychological and material needs are being met and unmet in Britain. The study shows where the most acute needs are and how they interrelate. It looks at why some people can cope with shocks and setbacks and others can't. And it draws out the implications for policy, philanthropy and public action.
Mapping of road fatalities
Using official data released by the Department of Transport, this map plots the location of every fatal road crash in Great Britain between 1999 and 2008, a total of 32,298 deaths.
Guide for promoting health and wellbeing
The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) is launching a new commissioning guide for promoting health and well-being . Practical and accessible, the Guide is based on the many developments that have taken place in the practice of health promotion and social marketing in recent years. It draws on an integrated model of health promotion and social marketing.
Promoting health and well-being: reducing inequalities
This guide has been developed to assist commissioners to make the most of the best methods of promoting health, using the latest understanding of how they can support people to make healthy choices as individuals within the social and environmental contexts in which they live. The guide will also be of value to providers in giving insight into the commissioning process.
Impact of inequalities in later life
'Just Ageing?' research indicates that inequality in old age is the result of disadvantages that have accumulated during people's lifetimes. These inequalities have an impact on people's health, income, social support and employment throughout their lives. Inequalities add up to create huge gaps in ‘life outcomes' in later life.
WRVS lottery award to help older people improve health and well-being
WRVS has been awarded £497,000 from the BIG Lottery to investigate the best ways to encourage older people to help each other to improve their health and wellbeing. The money is part of £20 million set aside for charities and community organisations who want to invest in research that will influence government thinking and improve life for people in communities throughout Britain.
Oneplace for an independent overview of local public services
Oneplace gives an independent, expert assessment of how well local public services are tackling the important issues in every area in England. Oneplace has been jointly developed by the Audit Commission, Care Quality Commission, HM Inspectorates of Constabulary, Prisons and Probation and Ofsted.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Injuries in the European Union: statistics 2005 - 2007
The 2009-report "Injuries in the EU" has been launched .The report presents data collected over the years 2005-2007. It also highlights injury data related to major risk groups and injury causes: children, adolescents, senior citizens, pedestrians/ bicyclists, sporting activities, consumer products, interpersonal violence and self-harm.
Women and health: today's evidence, tomorrow's agenda
This report shows that despite considerable progress in the past decades, societies continue to fail to meet the health care needs of women at key moments in their lives, particularly in their adolescent years, and in older age.
and finally............................
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Monica Dennis
Healthcare Alliances
Britannia House, 11 High Street, Cowbridge, CF71 7AD
Tel: 01446 774864
Mob: 07811 159800