Watchdog's serious concerns over health shake-up

Breaking news ...

While it has confirmed it will not be referring them to Health Minister Lesley Griffiths, North Wales health watchdog body the Community Health Council, says it has “very serious reservations” about the implementation of plans to close four community hospital across the region, including the one in Llangollen.

This revelation comes in a letter sent today (Monday) by the CHC to Ms Griffiths setting out its objections to the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s for a major shake-up of services.

This follows a public consultation and lengthy discussions as the CHC tried to get the health board to change some of its plans. The discussions finished late last week.

In its letter to the Minister the CHC says it has “already confirmed that it will not be referring the changes to four of the nineteen community hospitals in North Wales” to her.

However, the letter adds that it has “very serious reservations” about the transition and implementation plans for these community hospitals and asks Ms Griffiths to monitor this closely.

The CHC’s chief officer, Pat Billingham said: “Some aspects of the health board’s proposals are good. We have argued for a long time that more money has to go into community-based services.”

Mrs Billingham adds: “I know that many people are disappointed that the CHC did not object formally to the plans for closing some community hospitals.

“We looked at all the arguments very carefully and came to the decision that the promised investment in other types of primary and community health care service was very important and we could not pass that up.

“The health board has now given us much stronger commitments to providing the money, and only in the past few days. It would have been much better, of course, if new services were available before any closed.

“This is why we call on the Minister to make sure the health board does as it has promised – to make the changeover as quickly as possible.”

Plaid Cymru’s North Wales AM Llyr Gruffydd said: “The Community Health Council has raised many serious concerns about Betsi Cadwaladr’s plans to downgrade and centralise local health services.

“However, it failed to take the obvious step and formally object to the health minister. In effect it has abdicated its responsibility and emerges from this process badly damaged.

“It’s now up to the Health Minister. She must not abdicate responsibility in the same way.

“It’s clear from the multiple concerns raised in the CHC report that the plans are riddled with flaws and inconsistencies. Buried in the detail is news of new funding being found by the NHS Wales chief executive for new health centres.

“When was the business case submitted for such funding? The public needs to see full details of this new funding package rather than have it delivered after the end of the consultation process.

“The buck stops with the health minister. She must intervene and ensure community care is maintained locally and specialist neonatal services are kept in the North.”

North Wales Health Alliance said: “The CHC has blown huge holes in the health board’s proposals and it’s great that they have listened to our complaints and concerns.

"It’s regrettable that they haven’t felt able to formally object to some of the failings they highlight but it is now impossible for the health secretary Lesley Griffiths to wash her hands of this.

“Community hospitals have been closed before this consultation ended and must be re-opened immediately to maintain important community care.

"We remain unconvinced that the proposed replacement services are costed and want to see the details – it could be years before new health centres are built."

Below is the section of the CHC letter which refers to Llangollen ...

Llan Railway works on historic loco facelift

* Llangollen Railway is in a three-way partnership to restore an historic locomotive.

Llangollen Railway is co-operating on an ambitious project to facelift a vital piece of Welsh locomotive history.   

It is working alongside the Gwili Railway-based Gwili Vintage Carriage Group (GVCG) and the National Railway Museum on the cosmetic restoration of Taff Vale Railway ‘O1’ class 0-6-2T No. 28, the last surviving Welsh-built standard gauge steam locomotive.

The aim is to return the loco to showroom condition and display it with the only Welsh-built standard gauge railway carriage to survive into preservation, Taff Vale Railway Brake Third No. 220.

James Buckley, of the GVCG, said: “As custodians of No. 220, this project reflects a long-held aspiration to display the carriage within an appropriate context, and uniting it with the sole-surviving Welsh-built standard gauge steam locomotive in South Wales is a fantastic proposition.

“This project has three major benefits in that we will move a step closer to creating a train that consists solely of Welsh rolling stock, the Llangollen Railway will get to re-assemble No. 28, and the locomotive will be out on public display for the first time in over two decades.

“We look forward to working closely with both the Llangollen Railway and the National Railway Museum to achieve this aim.”

An appeal for £10,000 to complete the restoration and transport the locomotive to the Gwili Railway has been launched by the GVCG on behalf of the other two partners.

Neil Evans from Llangollen Railway said: “It will be great to get this loco back to ‘showroom’ condition.

“Llangollen Railway’s workshop is the largest standard gauge steam loco workshop in Wales, so we’re very happy to be involved with the project.

“Since TVR 28 arrived at Llangollen we have already worked on some parts of the locomotive, and a successful fundraising exercise will help us to complete the job.”

Anthony Coulls of the National Railway Museum said: “It has long been our ambition at the National Railway Museum to get TVR 28 looking in tip-top condition and it’s great to have such enthusiastic partners in Wales to help us achieve this aim.

“Although Wales is well-known for its narrow-gauge lines, perhaps TVR 28 will help remind everyone of Wales’ standard gauge railway heritage; the coal hauled by this engine helped to develop Britain.”

Oakleigh will be private residence again

* Oakleigh on Abbey Road will be a private home again.

 

llanblogger exclusive

A family returning to make their home in Llangollen have now completed the purchase of Oakleigh, the former mental health resource centre on Abbey Road, Llangollen, which has been lying empty for over two years.

Agents Legat Owen, whose Chester office has been handling the disposal of the imposing property in front of the Eisteddfod field, has told llanblogger that vendor Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB), has now formally handed it over to the new owner.

Stephen Wade, director of business space for Legat Owen’s Chester office, said on Friday: “We are pleased to confirm that BCUHB have today completed the sale of Oakleigh hospital in Llangollen.

 

“The property has been sold to a family who are looking to return to Llangollen.

“They intend to use the property as a private residence.

 

“The sale was completed following an informal tender process.

Asking price for Oakleigh had been £350,000 although Legat Owen said the terms of the agreed sale would remain confidential.

This latest development comes at the end of a formal bidding process which closed on January 18.

The property has been empty since September 2010 when it was sold off by the board as surplus to its requirements.  

Legat Owen’s details for the sale show that Oakleigh covers 306 square metres (3,293 square feet) on a site of 0.28 hectares (0.69 acres). 

The description continues:“Oakleigh comprises an attractive two storey period propertyfof brick construction under a pitched timber framed roof with clay tile covering.  

“Internally the property retains many of its original features.  

“The property has a rateable value of £10,000 and is available for sale freehold. 

“The property offers potential for a variety of alternative uses subject to securing the appropriate planning permission.  

“Planning permission has recently been granted for a change of use to a residential dwelling.”

A Freedom of Information request submitted to BCUHB by llanblogger last year showed the annual cost of maintenance and security of the property while it remained empty was £500 a year.  

Oakleigh had often been mentioned in connection with proposals by BCUHB for major changes to health services in Llangollen but the sale now rules it firmly out of the running.

Operatic looking for show sponsors

Llangollen Operatic is looking for sponsors for their forthcoming production of Anything Goes by Cole Porter, which will be staged from April 16-20 in Llangollen Town Hall.

Society spokesperson Louisa Jones said: For just £100, we are offering local companies and individuals the opportunity to sponsor one of our five performances.

"In return for this, sponsors will receive tickets for front row balcony seats for four people, a drink each from the bar, programmes, prominent display of your/your company's name and the chance to display and distribute your marketing material during the evening.

"We believe this is a very good deal and in addition to getting an evening of great entertainment you will be making a valued contribution towards the cost of putting on what is guaranteed to be a fantastic show.

"If you consider a full price ticket is £9 this year, it's particularly good value for money."

* For more information, contact: louisa.jones@live.com, or tel: 07989 985644.

Twenty Club aims for smash hit with Glass Menagerie

* Anna Turner, who plays Laura Wingfield.

Llangollen’s Twenty Club’s will present the American classic, The Glass Menagerie, on three nights next week (Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 7, 8 and 9) in the Town Hall.

This play is seen as the most touching, tender and painful of Tennessee Williams’ works and is the gripping portrayal of a post-depression family in crisis.

Buy Local Day in store for next Friday

Local shops can supply you with smaller, useable quantities of food at the right price – unlike the large packs supermarkets try to persuade you to buy.

That is one of the key messages from community group Keep Llangollen Special (KLS) as it organises its next Buy Local Day.

Timed for next Friday, March 8– usefully just a couple of days before Mothering Sunday – this will see a number of businesses in Llangollen offering special deals to savvy local shoppers.

KLS chair Mike Edwards (pictured left) said: “We are distributing printed colour flyers to residents in the next few days - Maesmawr is already done - and also getting a version of the new Buy Local poster to the shops around town.

“We are encouraging shopkeepers to make a special offer to local residents on the day and KLS are co-operating with the Slow Food initiative supported by the Town Council.”

Mike added: “We would strongly recommend residents to buy fresh quality local food and not travel outside Llangollen and support the local economy and supply chain.

“KLS has found from a survey carried out that local produce is actually very competitively priced and its possible to buy quantities you actually need not large packages which supermarkets encourage you to buy with resultant high levels of wasted food.

“So our strong message to Llangollen people is Buy Local next Friday.”

River's future discussed at meeting

* The River Dee in Llangollen.

The future of the River Dee over the next 20-30 years was discussed at a meeting in Llangollen’s Wild Pheasant Hotel on Thursday.

Four bodies – the Environment Agency, Environment Agency Wales, Natural England and the Countryside Council for Wales – jointly commissioned specialist contractors Jacobs to carry out a major ecological study taking in over 50 kilometres of the Dee, along with some of its tributaries such as the River Ceiriog, from Bala to Chester Weir.

The study was based on information from previous surveys and also included the results of new inspections which took place late last year.

The aim was to record the physical conditions of the rivers  and habitats along them to give an understanding of their physical processes and identify potential restoration actions.

Data from the survey was used to compile technical and management reports and it was these that were highlighted at a consultation workshop for a range of interested individuals and groups at the Wild Pheasant by members of the survey team.

The reports reveal that in places the physical form of the rivers have been altered by weirs, flood embankments, bank protection and straightening - all of which can reduce habitat quality, quantity and variety and affect the movement of fish, water and sediment.

No specific restoration actions were put forward, although a range of options was outlined by Dr Andrew Brookes (pictured right) from Jacobs.

He explained that the waterways put under the microscope included two separate Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), one in Wales and one downstream in England, which provided habitats for species such as Atlantic salmon, lamprey, otter and club-tailed dragonfly.

He said that when it came to the physical condition of the rivers there was “a lot of room for improvement” with only 28 per cent of surface waters in the Dee catchment area being classified as ‘good’ or ‘high’ ecological standard and the majority of bodies of water having been heavily modified over the years.

Dr Brookes added: “There are challenges and not a lot of money available.”

But he stressed: “There are sources of funding and we are talking about a long-term strategy with a time frame of 20 to 30 years.”

He then answered a number of technical points put to him by members of the audience.   

Consultations on the reports will continue amongst interested parties, including landowners, fishing clubs, river and wildlife trusts.

Comments made by them will then be considered and amendments made to the final restoration plan before it is published at the end of March. 

Greetings of the day from llanblogger

Happy St David's Day to all llanblogger readers!

New breast cancer scan could save lives says AM

The Welsh Government is being urged to adopt a new breast cancer scan that could save dozens of lives according to health experts.

Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru’s regional AM for North Wales (pictured right being shown the screening process) made his plea during a debate he had organised on tackling breast cancer among women under 50 years of age.

He told the Assembly: “Breast Test Wales do a great job of screening women over 50 years of age, when the risk of cancer rises. There are also mammograms available for under 50s but it is not an effective form of screening.

“However, cancer specialists and the National Institute of Clinical Excellence have established that there is a group of younger women with genetic or family history that make them more pre-disposed to breast cancer.

“The best way, it is felt by experts, to deal with this small but specific group is to offer MRI screening. This has been NICE’s case for the past seven years and it’s about time the Welsh Government adopted this guideline.

“A thorough pilot has taken place in the North to establish that this kind of programme can work and it’s estimated that it would only cost about £500,000 a year to screen hundreds of identified at-risk women. These are hard economic times but it’s impossible to put a price on anyone’s life when it’s possible to deal with this so promptly.”

The campaign is being supported by MacMillan charity, Treasure Chest, a breast cancer support group based in Llandudno and senior clinicians including Dr Alexandra Murray, lead consultant Cancer Genetics Service Wales, Dr Kate Gower Thomas and Dr Andy Gash, of Ysbyty Gwynedd.

Dr Murray said: “I believe that MRI screening should be available for young women at high risk of developing breast cancer, as one of a range of options for managing their risk.

“At the moment these women have to choose between mammography, which is less effective in young women with a genetic risk, and bilateral risk-reducing mastectomies. MRI screening has been shown to be effective in this group and it offers them a realistic alternative to surgery.

“Not every young woman with a high genetic risk will want MRI screening but it should be available for those that do.”

Anybody wishing to join Llyr Gruffydd’s campaign can contact him onllyr.gruffydd@wales.gov.uk or sign the petitionhttp://bit.ly/UQQCiF

Watchdog given more time to consider health changes

The BBC North East Wales website is reporting this afternoon that the patient watchdog for north Wales has been given more time to discuss NHS reshuffle plans with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which include the closure of Llangollen Cottage Hospital.

See the full story at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21617162

Who in Llan deserves new Welsh honour?

Ahead of tomorrow's St David's Day, Wales' First Minister Carwyn Jones has announced plans to create a new awards scheme to recognise “ordinary people who do extraordinary things”.

Speaking during a debate in the National Assembly on celebrating Welsh cultural identity, he outlined Welsh Government proposals to launch a new awards system to celebrate those who make a real difference to the quality of life in Wales.

Mr Jones said: “I have often felt humbled by the extraordinary stories of individuals who work tirelessly, without publicity or self-interest, for the benefit of others and who genuinely make Wales a better place.

“In recent months I have been reconsidering our approach to recognising contributions to Welsh life. I can today announce that from 2014 I will be launching the St David Awards. These awards will present opportunity for nominations from a broad range of walks of life to be recognised.

“Work is currently being carried out by my officials to identify the appropriate sectors for recognition and the deliberation process for making the awards.

“A starting point will be ordinary people who do extraordinary things. I am not looking to recognise people who are simply doing their jobs – however worthwhile and important many jobs undoubtedly are. I am looking to recognise people who do more than they need to, and who really make a difference to the quality of life in Wales.

“I want to see a strong business component in the awards – the private sector is the lifeblood of our economy and I want to see that dimension properly recognised. I would also like to see recognition for individuals who contribute to raising Wales’ profile in the world – this, too, makes a powerful contribution to both our social and economic well-being."

* Maybe llanblogger readers would let us know who locally they think deserves one of these new honours. Contact us at: llanblogger@gmail.com

* Martin Crumpton responded:

"As cheesy ar the FM’s scheme is, I’d like to nominate Wynn Hughes, who does so much for other people and the town, including charity fund raising, and also David Davis, leader of the Tidy Town team. There’s another guy, but I don’t know his name, wears a kilt, always present on Remembrance Day, who keeps the cenotaph clean and tidy."

County council sets 2% budget

* County Hall in Ruthin where the budget was agreed. Denbighshire County Council has set its 2013/14 budget at 2%. The authority says it has agreed the budget against a backdrop of a poorer than expected financial settlement from Welsh Government.  Capital funding from Cardiff has been cut by 15% to £4.9 million, which came on top of the 27% already cut over the past two years.  The council has also identified over £3 million in further savings over the next year while investing in education and social services.  A further £1m of extra funding will go into the Corporate Plan priorities over the next year - modernising education, highways, the economy, social care and the council itself. Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Cabinet Lead Member for Finance and Assets, said: "We have created a budget that protects education and social care and we have increased funding to these areas to the tune of £2.1m.  "We have already cut around £14 million from budgets over the years and we are proud of the fact that we have been able to protect frontline services.  "While the outlook for public finances is poor, it is extremely important that we provide residents with below inflation tax rises in these difficult times and we have consistently worked to keep council tax as low as possible as that is what residents have told us they want to see happening." Mohammed Mehmet, Chief Executive of Denbighshire, said: "As a council we want to protect those services that are important to people and this budget achieves this while keeping the council tax increase as low as possible and making £3m efficiencies. "The council has a strong track record of delivering savings by finding better ways of doing things. We are reducing the amount of days loss to sickness; we are scrutinising our contracts to ensure better value for money and we are being more competitive in the way in which we buy in services."

Further information on the budget will be included in Your Money, the definitive guide to council tax which will be delivered with council tax bills to properties in March.

Good progress being made on Slow Food plan

Enquiries are coming in fast from businesses interested in finding out more about starting a Slow Food group in Llangollen.

In the past few weeks over 50 shops, restaurants, pubs and other firms have been invited to help with the initiative, which is being planned as part of the town’s bid to achieve Cittaslow status.

Slow Food is an international organisation that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment by promoting local, seasonal produce and reconnecting people with where their food comes from.

It is a not-for-profit movement in which local groups, run by volunteers, organise a variety of events alongside local food and drink producers and chefs.

Members of the Cittaslow bid team have been distributing leaflets and putting up posters across the area giving people more details about Slow Food and giving them the opportunity to make an enquiry about helping set up a local group.

At the latest monthly Cittaslow group meeting at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening, members were brought up to date on how the scheme is progressing by Sal Jefford who is spearheading it.

She said that as a result of the publicity drive, a number of enquiries had come in.

A minimum of 10 are needed to start a group, so she encouraged more businesses to get involved.

• If you are interested in learning more about how you can help, or would like to be kept informed of our progress, e-mail slowfoodllangollen@gmail.com, or phone or text Sal on 07786 623802.

Organisers also want to hear from anyone in Llangollen who is already a member of Slow Food UK.

Gill Thomas then updated members on the good progress she is making in compiling a local crafts and products directory.

This, she explained, aimed to include people with traditional crafts and product businesses within a 20-mile radius of the centre of Lllangollen.

So far, she had added 33 such businesses to the list, including ones as diverse as a coracle maker and a Welsh flannel weaver.

She is seeking many more to add to the growing list and invited anyone interested in being included to contact her via this website.

Gill, who already successfully runs the weekly country markets in Llangollen Town Hall, then put forward a suggestion for the revival of regular local farmers’ markets.

Members discussed this and came up with a number of possible locations in the town centre, which would now be investigated.   

Police appeal over stolen sheep

Police are appealing for information after a number of sheep were stolen from the Glyndyfrdwy area.

Sometime between January 31^st and last week, unknown offenders took 21 sheep and three rams from a secure field.

The sheep, which are a Chivot Cross, with two of Chivot rams and another a Texel ram, all have a blue mark on their backs. All the sheep, except the rams, have also been ear marked in the corner of their right ear.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have seen a strange vehicle in the area or anyone acting suspiciously in the vicinity to contact Investigation Support Team on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Minister is able to intervene in health plans

A cross-party group of Assembly Members has welcomed confirmation that the Welsh Health Minister is able to intervene in controversial plans to relocate long-term neonatal care services from hospitals in North Wales to Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral.

During health questions in the Senedd today, Health Minister Lesley Griffiths confirmed that she is able to intervene in spite of a decision by the Betsi Cadwaladr Community Health Council’s Executive Committee last week not to formally object to the proposals.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board bosses gave the green light to move forward with the plans at a special meeting in January in spite of widespread opposition from the public. The British Medical Association, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives have also expressed their opposition to the plans.

North Wales Regional AMs Llyr Huws Gruffydd and Aled Roberts together with Clwyd West AM Darren Millar and Vale of Clwyd AM Ann Jonesare opposed to the proposed switch.

The AMs said: “This is welcome news indeed and will reassure many people across North Wales worried about the future of baby care services in the region.

“We are pleased that the Minister has confirmed that she is actively considering the representations that have been made by members of the public and the evidence provided by clinicians. Having listened to our constituents and the arguments of clinicians, we know how persuasive the case is for retaining neonatal intensives care services in North Wales.”

They added: “As the organisation which is supposed to be the voice of patients in North Wales, we urge the Community Health Council to reconsider its position on this matter and refer the Health Board’s decisions to the Minister.

“In the event that the Community Health Council fails to refer this matter, then we will be calling upon the Minister to use her powers to intervene.”

The AMs also understand that the Community Health Council now has until the 11th March to decide whether to refer matters to the Minister. This follows a request by the watchdog for a 10-day extension to the decision timetable.

Council warns CHC over health changes

Councillors in Denbighshire will declare a vote of no confidence in the Community Health Council (CHC)E xecutive Board if it does not refer issues of concern to the Welsh Government Health Minister, Lesley Griffiths, by the March deadline .
Following a lengthy debate at a special meeting of the Full Council today members agreed to hold off from a vote of no confidence if the CHC agrees to refer two main areas of concern to the Minister, namely transition arrangements while new facilities are built and guarantees that capital funding will be in place for the new facilities, such as a primary care resource centre for Llangollen.

The moves come after a delegation of ten members met with senior health officials, including BCU Chief Executive, Mary Burrows on 8 February to discuss their concerns about the proposed changes to healthcare provision as part of the BCU consultation 'Healthcare in North Wales is Changing'.

Members discussed a range of concerns, which included a lack of guarantees coming forward from Welsh Government on capital funding and the provision of services throughout the transition period, transport implications and the future designation of Ysbyty Glan Clwyd as a district general hospital with specialist functions.
Other concerns included the potential for 'cost shunting' as more care is provided for people in the community which would inevitably impact on social care costs and plans for neonatal care for the most vulnerable babies to be provided at Arrowe Park over the border in England.

Cabinet Lead Member for health and social care, Councillor Bobby Feeley, said: "It is fair to say this consultation has been one of poor processes, misinformation and mishandling but we must We must continue to strive to get the best deal for the residents of Denbighshire.

"I fully understand the frustration of members, I feel the same, and we have seen by the way the Council has voted, we must do all we can to protect the interests of our residents.

"The CHC is the patient's watchdog but, clearly, we do not feel that the patient's interests are being best served by the proposals put forward by Betsi Cadwaladr University Healthboard. As the CHC is the only statutory body that can refer the issues to the Minister, that is where we must bring pressure to bear before taking the last step of a vote of no confidence in the CHC Executive Board."
At the end of the debate, members agreed to use the already established County Health and Social Care Forum as a mechanism to ensure continued dialogue and reporting back between Denbighshire and BCU. Members also noted progress made with respect to reassurances on the future of Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, and an agreement to work with public authorities to develop a transport plan.
Work will now begin on modelling the financial consequences of the proposed changes on the Council, especially Enhanced Care Services and Services for carers.

Ambulances perform well in county figures show

Welsh Government figures for last December show that ambulances operating in Denbighshire were amongst the best performing in Wales, attending 66.8% of emergency calls within eight minutes.

This compares favourably to the all-Wales average of 56%, is better than the target figure for unitary authority areas of 60%  and also exceeds the Wales-wide target of 65%.

Worst performing unitary authority area in the country was Rhondda Cynon Taf with just 43.5%.

Ambulances operating within the much wider Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area – which also includes Llangollen – reached 62% of cases within eight minutes compared to the target figure for health board areas of 60%.  

The figures show generally that ambulance responses to immediately life-threatening (category A) calls in Wales were missed for the eight successive month in January.

Figures published today show ambulances arrived on time in a little over 8,500 separate category A cases. There were more than 14,600 in all.

The Welsh Government’s statistics service highlights snow as a factor during January. The last time the 65 per cent category A target was met was in May last year.

The figures have been published on the day of a Welsh Conservative debate on the ambulance service in the National Assembly.

The group is calling on the government to:

• Increase the number of emergency ambulances operating in Wales.
• Ensure that Wales has an adequate network of ambulance stations across the country.
• Provide an assurance that the on-going Ministerial review of the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust will deliver improved response times.

A recent freedom of information response – obtained by the Welsh Conservatives – details the number of times ambulances arrived at a scene over one hour after an initial 999 call (identified as ‘category A’) was made. The target time is eight minutes.

 

Examples include:

• Overdose/poisoning in Rhondda Cynon Taf (one hour two minutes)
• Breathing problems in Vale of Glamorgan (one hour three minutes)
• Animal bites/attacks in Neath (one hour seventeen minutes)
• Assault/Sexual Assault in Neath (one hour eighteen minutes)
• Stab/Gunshot/Penetrating Trauma in Blaenau Gwent (one hour 59 minutes)
• Stroke – Cva in Rhondda Cynon Taf (two hours 36 minutes

Last month Welsh Conservatives revealed the number of ambulances in Wales had dropped from 256 to 244, while the number of ambulance stations had also decreased. Seven have been closed so far during 2012/13 (Queensferry, Flint, Mold, Reynoldston, Monmouth, Dolgellau and Maesteg). Just four had shut their doors in the previous four years.

Shadow Minister for Health Darren Millar AM will lead today’s debate.

 

He said: “Very little has changed in our ambulance service and patients can rightly be forgiven a sense of déjà vu.

“Despite the hard work of frontline staff, waits are still too long, targets mean little, and service performance lags behind other parts of the UK.

“Every minute lost can harm the chance of a patient’s recovery, potentially costing lives, and causing distress to everyone involved.

“The closure of local services is only adding to the pressure on staff and it’s vital that unnecessary NHS reorganisation is properly considered in the current review.

“Labour’s record-breaking NHS budget cuts have resulted in inappropriate reform, hold-ups in A and E, and the potential for far longer waits in the future.

“We need reassurances that the current ambulance service review will result in the real changes that are needed and the excellent service Wales deserves.”

Campaigner's letter on health service changes

Local campaigner MARTIN CRUMPTON has sent in this letter regarding health service changes in the area:

 

Second Class NHS for North Wales?

 

Betsi Cadwaladr Community Health Council decided to back the health board’s cuts, resulting in the closure of four community hospitals and centralising facilities like minor injury units, despite overwhelming opposition from patients and health care professionals who wanted it referred to the Minister.

 

Meanwhile, the Hywel Dda community health council have referred the same issues for their area to Lesley Griffiths, the Health Minister.

 

She now has a dilemma:

 

If she upholds Hywel Dda’s objection but doesn’t apply the decision nationally, she will create a two-tier NHS in Wales, with her own constituents in Wrexham falling into the second class category.

 

If she rejects Hywel Dda CHC’s objections, she will face accusations that her decision was made purely for political expediency in order to save face.

 

H er only viable course is to make her decision on behalf of all the health boards in Wales. Unless she acts speedily, that will be problematic too, since Betsi Cadwaladr has already begun implementing the closures, quickly and stealthily.

 

If she follows what the people and the staff of the NHS are demanding and stop the closures, she will have to obtain extra funding. If she doesn’t, she will have to face her own constituents.

 

From the very beginning, when the Welsh Government decided to cut funding for the NHS, the whole thing has become an omnishambles.

 

Martin Crumpton

Llangollen

Choir for peace to sing in Llan

 A choir will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Warrington bombing at an international festival dedicated to world peace and harmony.

 

The renowned Warrington Male Voice Choir (pictured right) will be competing at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in the picturesque North Wales town.

 

In the years after the bomb outrage in the Cheshire town, which claimed the lives of two children – 12-year-old Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball, aged three - and left another 54 badly injured, the choir made numerous trips to sing in Ireland – both north and south of the border – in an attempt to aid the healing process.

 

Accompanying them on many of those momentous occasions was the choir’s Patron, the iconic peace champion Terry Waite, who is also President of the Llangollen Eisteddfod.

 

After the IRA bomb ripped through the centre of Warrington on March 20, 1993, the choir, which was established in 1898 and is one of the oldest and most highly acclaimed in England, readily answered the call to become involved in the Concerts for Reconciliation programme.

 

The choir performed on numerous occasions over the following years, both in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, and rapidly became known as the Choir for Peace.

 

Mr Waite said: “When the Warrington bombing occurred I saw for myself the devastating impact it had upon a community unaccustomed to that level of violence.

 

“I was invited to become a Patron of the choir and gladly accepted.

 

“I have never been the sort of person to be content with simply having my name on headed notepaper. If I was to be Patron then I needed to contribute.

 

“A series of visits to Ireland was arranged by the choir and I accompanied them, taking the opportunity to promote the message of peace through the spoken word whilst the choir did the same through music.

 

“At the public concerts held right across Northern Ireland and in the Republic, in Roman Catholic Cathedrals and Orange Halls, the same message was delivered.

 

“People from all the different sections of society attended and found comfort and inspiration from the events.

 

“Many were deeply impressed that the people of Warrington showed no bitterness. They felt pain and made no secret of that fact but they were determined to turn the experience of acute suffering into something positive.

 

“Llangollen is a powerful example of how ordinary men and women - for the Eisteddfod is still organised in the main by volunteers - can make a positive difference in this war-torn world.”

 

Choir secretary Dave Knight, who was himself in the choir’s line-up throughout at the time of the bombing, period, said: “We sang in major venues on either side of the border, such as the National Opera House in Dublin and the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, but we also performed in many smaller venues, including churches of all denominations.

 

“One of the occasions I remember most was in 1996 when the choir was invited to take part in the St Patrick’s Day parade in Armagh, Ireland’s ecclesiastical centre.

 

“We became the first English group to receive such an honour and we enjoyed an unprecedented welcome on the street of Armagh. The choristers were presented with sprigs of shamrock by Cardinal Cahal Daly, Primate of All Ireland, which was a powerfully symbolic gesture.

 

“The choir also sang at Omagh in Northern Ireland in 1998, not long after the bombing there in which 29 people were killed and 220 were injured.

 

“That was an unforgettable experience because the streets were still badly damaged as a result of the bomb and we performed a song called Across the Bridge of Hope.

 

“Whenever and wherever we have sung in Ireland we have been received with open arms by the local people and it has been a phenomenal experience.

 

“We have always felt it was the right thing to do to hold out the hand of peace and choir members still wear the badge of peace in the lapel of their uniforms.

 

“To mark the 20^thanniversary of the Warrington bombing the choir will be singing in the commemorative service to be held in the town’s Bridge Street –where it actually took place – on Saturday, March 16. On that day we will again sing Across the Bridge of Hope, as we did in Omagh.”

 

Dave added: “The choir has competed at Llangollen International Eisteddfod on many occasions over the years and in recent years we’ve been runners-up twice and third once in the male voice choir section.

 

“We are looking forward very much to competing again this year and will sing first in the male voice choir section on the Saturday afternoon and are hoping very much to get through to the Choir of the World competition later that day.

 

“That is a marvellous competition and features some of the very best choirs from across the globe and we’re hoping we can be amongst them.”

 

The festival's Musical Director, Eilir Griffiths, is delighted the Warrington Male Voice Choir will be competing again this year.

He said: “The Choir of the World competition is internationally recognised and we want to elevate dance to the same level by giving it a place on the stage on the big night.

“Dance plays a really important part in the Eisteddfod and brings huge colour, spectacle and atmosphere to the event with dancers from all over the world in their different costumes.

“We want it to really light up the weekend and have a real impact not just on the Saturday night but throughout the week and especially the weekend.”

As well as the new dance event there will also be a new Children’s Choir of the World competition; with the winning choirs from the Junior Children’s, Senior Children’s and Children’s Folk Choir competitions competing against each other,

There will also be a Conductors Prize for the most inspiring conductor from these competitions as well as a Music Directors Awardgiven by the festival’s Music Director himself, Eilir Owen Griffiths.

Another first, aimed at solo performers, will be the Voice of the Future competition, open to under-35s and with a whopping £2,000 prize.

This year’s event is from Tuesday, July 9, to Sunday, July 14. For more information go to the website at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/llangollen

Two charged with Wrexham murder

Two men have been have been charged with the murder of Glynis Eileen Solmaz at her Wrexham home.

Alexandros Weatherill, 23, and Christopher Curran, 34, have both been charged with murder and conspiracy to burgle.

Two other men, Christopher Natt, 52, and David Lovell, 29, have also been charged with conspiracy to burgle.

All four men are from the Wrexham area and are due to appear before Wrexham Magistrates’ Court tomorrow morning.

Maps show levels of noise in the area

* The local noise map, showing the A539 junction with the A483 at the top and the

A5 junction at the bottom.

The Welsh Government has published a series of maps to illustrate levels of noise across Wales.

The noise maps show estimated levels of road traffic, railway and industrial noise in Wales’ three largest urban areas, and noise from the busiest roads and railways across the country.

Local authorities, and other bodies, can use the maps to identify where high levels of noise coincide with other social and environmental problems. They will then be able to address these issues to improve the quality of life for people living and working in there areas.

Commenting on the maps, Environment Minister, John Griffiths said:

"One of my top priorities is to improve the local environment for people living in our most disadvantaged areas. Noise pollution should be treated with particular seriousness when it coincides with other factors such as poor air quality, low housing standards and lack of green space."

One of the maps looks at noise generated by trains. Almost all mapped railway lines are due to be electrified and the Welsh Government is looking at the improvements in noise levels likely to result from this.

The Welsh Government will shortly be consulting on a noise action plan which will bring together the noise policies and priorities of public authorities across Wales. The noise maps will be a key source of information helping to inform decisions by these bodies over the next five years.

You can see the noise maps on our Wales Noise Mapping website.

Looking the road noise mapping for this area the key to the colours on the map, representing average noise level in decibels (dB), are:

·        Blue - 75 and over

·        Purple - 70-74.9

·        Red - 65-69.9

·        Pink - 60-64.9

·        Orange - 55-59.9
 

Locally, the highest noise levels (blue) is recorded along the line of the actual carriageway of the A483, with progressively lower noise recordings (purple, then red, pink and orange) on the roadsides along its flanks.

On both the main roads from the bypass to Llangollen – the A539 in the north and the A5 in the south – the highest noise levels are recorded on the eastward carriageways themselves - (purple) diminishing to red.

Again, on the sides of both roads there are extensive orange areas, extending as far west as Trevor on the A539 – where the road then becomes red all the way to Llangollen and beyond - and the junction with the B5605 towards Pentre on the A5.

For more information see: http://data.wales.gov.uk/apps/noise/?lang=en#lat=52.9751&lon=-3.1247&zoom=13&time=den&theme=road

New county cycle route gears up

Work on constructing a new cycle path linking Ruthin and Rhewl in the Vale of Clwyd gets underway next week.

The path will be constructed alongside the existing A525 road and will be carried out in two stages. The first stage begins on March 4th.

Temporary traffic lights will be in operation throughout the duration of the works.
E.Jones and Sons will carry out the works and the project is expected to take six to eight weeks to complete.

This route will link Ruthin to the villages of Rhewl, Llanynys and Llandyrnog and will encourage people to cycle for health reasons and will help protect the environment.
The work is being funded through the Welsh Government Transport Plan grant, which is made available to support projects that promote safe, efficient and sustainable transport networks.

For further information, please contact Ben Wilcox-Jones, on 01824 706922.

More arrests in Wrexham murder hunt

Breaking news ...

Three more men have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Glynis Eileen Solmaz at her Wrexham home.

Police were called to a house in Bryn Hafod at 10.02am on Wednesday February 20 where the body of Ms Solmaz 65, was found.

Police were today granted a further 24 hours to question a 23 year old Wrexham man arrested on Friday February 22.

Earlier today officers arrested three more local men aged 52, 34 and 29.

All the men have arrested on suspicion of murder and conspiracy to burgle and are currently being held at Wrexham police station.

Air ambulance attended Llan incident

Wales Air Ambulance has just given details of incidents its helicopter has attended in the area recently

These included one in Llangollen on February 13 when they were called at 1pm to attend to an adult male injured in a horse riding accident.

On February 17, the Air Ambulance was called to Llantysilio at 11.15am to deal with the an adult male casualty injured in a fall.

Wales Air Ambulance is the national air ambulance charity for Wales, providing emergency air cover for those who face life-threatening illness or injuries.

Its aircrews are on standby for everyone, in any part of Wales’ diverse landscape and communities, 365 days a year.

The same charity also operates the National Children’s Air Ambulance for Wales.

The charity is funded by public support and relies entirely on donations to raise £6 million each year to operate its three helicopters in the mid, north and south of the country.

To donate, call your nearest Wales Air Ambulance fundraising office on 0844 85 84 999 and they will process a donation over the phone.