AM raises end-of-life care with Minister

NORTH Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood  says he is keen to ensure that in making changes to end-of-life health care in North Wales, the Welsh NHS listens to charitable and independent hospices who have shown great success in delivering more for the resources available.

Raising the issue in the Assembly Chamber with the Health Minister last week, Mr Isherwood, who is Chair of the Cross Party Group on Hospices and Palliative Care, said: “Under the heading ‘Enhanced care at home’, the Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board document, ‘Healthcare in North Wales is Changing’, states that it would ensure consistent delivery of end-of-life care, connecting primary care, community services, hospice support and specialist palliative care teams to support people to die at home, in accordance with their wishes and those of their families.

“However, there is no reference to what the Welsh NHS could learn from our charitable hospices about the integration of care services in the home, community hospitals and hospices. How will the Welsh Government ensure that charitable and independent hospices across Wales will be given the opportunity to help NHS and social service home-care providers to deliver more for the resources available?”

The Minister, Lesley Griffiths, agreed that the need for integrated services is key to the way forward.

She said: “The Social Services Bill will show us the way forward on that. Having said that, I am also aware that there are excellent examples of integrated care at the end of life in people’s homes. I am sure that you would want to join with me in acknowledging the role of the voluntary sector in providing this.”

In an Assembly Debate on Hospices and Palliative Care earlier this year, Mr Isherwood described hospice care as “one of Wales’ greatest success stories” and emphasised that across Wales, local charitable hospices care for more than 5,000 people affected by terminal illness each year.

Main A5 closed near Chirk after three-vehicle accident

The A5 in Chirk has been closed in both directions between Gledrid Roundabout and Halton Roundabout this morning (Monday), because of an accident involving three vehicles.

 

It is understand the bridge of the river at that point is being checked by engineers for structural damage.

Endowment fund for local groups launched

 * At the launch of the new fund at Ruthin Craft Centre are, from left, Cllr Hugh Evans, leader of Denbighshire, Tom Barham from the Community Foundation in Wales, Councillor Jeanette Chamberlain Jones (chair of Denbighshire), Hywyn Williams, Corporate Director - Communities Denbighshire County Council and Lisa Kellett, Chief Executive of the Community Foundation in Wales.

Community and charitable groups in Llangollen and the rest of Denbighshire are being invited to bid for a share of a new £280,000 endowment fund.

The Denbighshire Community Endowment Fund will award around £10,000 in education grants each year.

The funding comes from dormant funds identified by the county council, which has asked the Community Foundation in Wales to identify how the cash can be used locally.

The foundation will work with local people to advise on grant making decisions, and support the education of young people.

The fund will provide a long-term source of funding for community and charitable groups across the county and will gather donations from people wishing to top it up.

Grants will be made under five broad themes - enabling young people and promoting education, enterprise and lifelong learning; building cohesion and confidence in communities; improving physical and mental health; nurturing heritage and culture and protecting our environment.

Liza Kellett, chief executive of the Community Foundation in Wales, said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Denbighshire County Council.

“By working together, we can make sure that the funding is targeted effectively but we also the fund to grow so more local groups can benefit in the future.

“We invite people living in the county to consider gifting a donation to their communities. Local giving for local action really does make a difference.”

Councillor Hugh Evans, leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: "In an exercise to review the education budget line by line, we realised that we had 57 dormant charitable funds, some of them small.

“The total fund value amounted to about £280k. Making much better use of such a substantial fund is critically important to us, and leaving such funds dormant was not an option.

"When we were contacted by the Community Foundation in Wales, we became really enthusiastic about contributing the monies to create this education -focussed fund for Denbighshire.

“We now have a very good way forward, the money available is going to be invested well, funding will be released to just causes within our communities, and that will, hopefully, reap benefits to our residents, now and for years to come.”

Anyone interested in donating to the fund should phone the Community Foundation in Wales on 02920 536 590.or visit WWW.CFIW.ORG.UK

AM pledges to fight mental health stigma

CLWYD South Assembly Member Ken Skates has pledged to help tackle the stigma over mental health as the Welsh Labour Government launched a ground-breaking new initiative.

The new cross-departmental strategy - “Together for Mental Health” – gives a commitment to support patients “from cradle to the grave.”

* Ken Skates AM

Welsh Government figures currently show:

· One in four adults will have mental health problems or illness at some stage of their lives.

· One in 10 children between the ages of five and 16 has a mental health problem.

· One in six people over 80 years old will have memory problems, such as dementia.

The Strategy is focused around six high level outcomes and is supported by a Delivery Plan.

Mr Skates,  who also chairs the Assembly’s All Party Group on Mental Health, said: “Mental illnesses, particularly depression and anxiety, affect thousands of people across Wales yet there is still a taboo about addressing it. Many people still feel alone and dejected about mental health issues but the truth is there are many places to turn to.

“It’s imperative that patients get the right treatment to make sure they can not only manage their illness but hopefully recover fully and this new strategy will aid that.

“Together for Mental Health is aimed at giving a continuous and seamless care ‘from cradle to the grave’ and that’s exactly what is needed to help vulnerable people regardless of their age or social background.”

Welsh Labour’s Health Minister Lesley Griffiths said: “One in four people will experience mental illness at some point in their lives. This can be triggered by bereavement, a trauma or even constantly worrying about money. In these days of financial austerity, we need to have more resilience to deal with the everyday pressures we face.

"Together for Mental Health is our commitment to do all we can to ensure we help people in Wales enjoy good mental health and wellbeing and those with mental ill-health are given all the support possible to recover and lead fulfilling lives.”

Clocks back reminder

Don't forget that British Summer Time ends at 1am tomorrow (Sunday) morning, so put your clocks BACK by one hour.

Anti-dog fouling teams to hit the streets

XFOR, the company contracted to carry out environmental enforcement for Denbighshire County Council, has now recruited six new enforcement staff who will take on the battle to rid local streets of dog mess and litter.

The team will be kitted out with video cameras to patrol hotspot areas on the lookout for anyone who fails to clean up after their dog or throws litter on the street.

* Llangollen's anti-dog fouling poster. 

Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, Councillor David Smith, said: “Dog fouling and littering are two of the most common complaints we receive here in Denbighshire. It was highlighted in our latest resident’s survey as one of the most pressing issues in communities.

“Not only is dog fouling a health hazard, it blights the environment in communities across the authority and now is the time to tackle the issue robustly.

“We will be looking to engage with communities, educate people on the need to clear up after their dogs and make it much easier for people to report through a freephone number and social media as well as the more traditional methods of making a complaint.”

Gary Lincoln-Hope, CEO at XFOR said: "We are pleased to be working in partnership with Denbighshire to combat problems with littering and dog fouling.  “XFOR LAS is now providing two teams to patrol the streets, issuing fixed penalty notices for offences.

“These experienced officers are supported by our back office teams as necessary. We have been welcomed by the council and the local community, and look forward to making robust FPN enforcement more practicable for the council. Most importantly, this partnership will have a measurable impact on the cleanliness of Denbighshire's streets."

The appointment of XFOR will not cost the authority anything but the firm will take a percentage of what they receive from issuing fixed penalty notices. In the coming weeks, Denbighshire will be producing flyers, guides, posters and postcards to be distributed through all council reception areas, libraries, schools, veterinary surgeries, supermarkets, Town and Community Councils, tenants associations, leisure centres and tourist information centres.

Cllr Smith added: “We hope residents will get fully behind this campaign and help reduce this anti-social behaviour once and for all, ensuring Denbighshire is one of the cleanest greenest counties in Wales.”

To report problems with dog fouling, please telephone the Council’s Customer Contact Centre, on 01824 706100 (Welsh language) or 01824 706101.

News from Llan Operatic Society ...

Festive Frolics

Rehearsals are now in full swing for “Festive Frolics”, which is due to be staged in the Town Hall on Tuesday 11^th December. The evening is guaranteed to put you in the mood for seasonal celebrations with a programme featuring traditional and contemporary Christmas songs, humorous poems and monologues, and well loved carols that everyone is welcome to join in with. Tickets are £5.00 per person, including a glass of wine and a mince pie, and will be available from the Tourist Information Centre shortly.

If you would like a taste of what the evening has in store, why not come and see us perform on the library steps during the Town Festival on Saturday 24^th November. Alternatively if you fancy joining us on stage, come along to a rehearsal on Tuesday evening at 19:30 in our studio, off Castle Street or e-mail Membership@llangollen-operatic.co.uk for more details.

Anything Goes

The senior section is delighted to announce that their annual production for 2013 will be “Anything Goes” by Cole Porter. The Society first performed this maritime musical 14 years ago and many of the original cast will be taking to the stage once more. Set in the 1930s, this upbeat show tells of madcap antics aboard the ocean liner SS American on its journey from New York to London. Recognisable numbers from the show include the title song “Anything Goes”, “I get a kick out of you” and “It’s de-lovely”.

The show will be produced by Sue Cheshire and directed by Christine Ashworth with Greg Williams as Musical Director. Rehearsals for anyone interested in auditioning for a principal role will be held on Tuesday 30th October and Sunday 4th November in the studio at 19:30, with auditions on Sunday 11^th November.

We are always on the lookout for new members so if you would be interested in coming along to join us in an acting or non acting capacity, please e-mail Membership@llangollen-operatic.co.uk for further details. We would be particularly interested to hear from anyone who has experience with designing and making costumes, set building and painting and the sourcing and organisation of props.

Travelling Troupe News

The Troupe would like to thank everyone who supported their showcase event “Lost in Music” on 14^th and 15^th September in the Town Hall. The event was enjoyed by all involved and the feedback from the audience was excellent. A profit in the region of £800 was generated for Society funds.