AM re-opens hospital closure argument

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood is concerned that the Health Minister has overlooked “very serious reservations”  expressed by the North Wales Community Health Council regarding community hospital closures.  

 

The Labour Health Minister Mark Drakeford’s Written Statement to Assembly Members ‘Changes to Health Services in North Wales’ on 17 July failed to refer to the “very serious reservations” expressed by the North Wales Community Health Council about the transition and implementation plans in the communities affected by hospital closures and related service withdrawal - Flint, Llangollen, Prestatyn and Blaenau Ffestiniog.   

 

Concerned by the omission, Mr Isherwood has written to the Minister asking him to “detail the agreed transition and implementation plans in the communities affected by hospital closures and related service withdrawal.”

 

His letter states:  “In your Statement, you state that you are ‘very pleased to report that I have now received a joint letter from the CHC and Health Board which confirms agreement has been reached on the outstanding issues’. 

 

“You further state that the elements of the Health Board’s proposals which the CHC referred to the former Minister for Health and Social Services for determination on 4 March related to:  minor injury services in South Gwynedd;  the removal of X-Ray services from Tywyn Hospital and older people’s mental health service for people living in Gwynedd.

 

“However, specific reference is not made to other elements of the Health Board’s proposals referred to by the North Wales Community Health Council in their letter to the former Minister for Health and Social Services.

 

“This includes the statement that “The CHC has already confirmed that it will not be referring the changes to four of the nineteen community hospitals in North Wales to the Minister. However, the CHC’s letter also says that it has ‘very serious reservations’ about the transition and implementation plans for these community hospitals…….”.

 

“Serious concern about this remains in the communities affected by withdrawal of local services. If these are not addressed, it is of little comfort to them if “the CHC is now content, subject to the outcome of the agreed monitoring and review."

Local directory "is a good idea"

A reply to the story below from Gill Thomas ...

The local directory suggested by the Town Council is a very good idea.

Just to let you know the Llangollen Chamber of Trade & Tourism is in the process of listing Professional & Emergency Services on the www.llangollen.org.uk website in the Information section.

We are also undertaking a disabled access survey and the results will also appear on the website.

We would be grateful for any information on access and facilities for people with disabilities, provided by local businesses. Details can be sent to Gill Thomas, email: thomastheelms@hotmail.co.uk

At-a-glance local directory idea wins approval

Llangollen Town Council is to look into the possibility of financing the production of a quick guide to local services.

The idea was put forward at Tuesday night’s council meeting by Cllr Sheena Burrell (pictured left) who said it would be handy if there was a single sheet containing the contact details for local services such as doctors, hospitals, council offices and the opening times for public toilets.

“I think something like that could be very useful for people who are staying here for a week or so on holiday and want to use local services. It might also be of use to local people,” she said.

“I think we should take this on board because it could raise the profile of the town council.”

Members voted to have the town clerk look further into the idea.

Police urge us to keep an eye on schools during holidays

As the school holidays begin a scheme which encourages everyone to keep an eagle eye on schools across North Wales and safe from crime over the summer break has been launched.

 

School Watch aims to get parents, residents, and teachers as well as the emergency services and the local authorities working together to keep schools and their immediate surrounding areas safe and free from crime and anti-social behaviour.

 

The latest launch happened in Conwy at Ysgol Bro Gwydir in Llanrwst on Monday, July 15 following launches last week in Denbighshire, as well as in Gwynedd and Flintshire.  

 

At the latest launch pupils in Llanrwst got to opportunity to learn a little more about the initiative and keeping safe over the summer holidays by Community Safety Officer Ifan Hughes and School Community Liaison Officer PC Meirion Williams. The youngsters then got to explore the police and fire cars present and speak with members of the Arson Reduction Team, the Fire and Rescue Service and Conwy County Borough Council.

 

“School buildings can become a target for graffiti and vandalism during the summer break and along with encouraging pupils and their parents to keep an eye on their school, members of the local community living nearby are also urged to do the same,” said Ifan Hughes.

 

“It is important that people continue to support the initiative by being vigilant and contacting us should they see any suspicious or criminal activity in and around the schools.”

 

Head of Ysgol Bro Gwydir, Meinir Jones said: “School Watch is a good initiative that raises awareness and encourages children to take responsibility for looking after their school.”

 

Inspector Julie Sheard, who is responsible for the North Wales Police Community Safety Department said: “Schools have a limited budget and valuable resources which should be used to educate children are being diverted to combat theft and criminal damage. School buildings can also become a target for graffiti and vandalism during the long summer break.

 

“We rely on members of the public for their support and encourage all to report incidents to the police or anonymously via Crimestoppers.”

 

Leaflets and posters have been distributed throughout North Wales, reminding the public of the scheme which also aims to help stamp out mindless acts which not only affects the school, but the whole community.

 

Anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour in or around schools or at school buildings is urged to contact North Wales Police. If you witness a crime in progress always dial 999. Non-emergency calls should be made to 101 or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

 

Town's CCTV system undergoes an upgrade

Repairs to part of Llangollen’s inefficient CCTV had to be speeded up when police needed to look at it for evidence.

This was revealed at Tuesday’s town council meeting as town clerk Gareth Thomas was giving an update on repairs to the system.

At the June meeting, town councillors agreed to spend around £5,000 on upgrading the eye in the sky camera network, which helps keep a watchful eye on the streets around the town centre.

They heard how the ageing system has become increasingly unreliable and badly in need of an upgrade. 

Two of the cameras had completely broken down while others were faulty – one due to interference from a third party wi-fi system – and another was verging on a breakdown, they were told. 

At Tuesday’s meeting, Mr Thomas said two new cameras had now been fitted but that the one overseeing Riverside was “beyond its sell-by date." 

However, he added: “We have done all we can this year.”

He then revealed how the system’s hard disk, which had also been giving problems, had needed to be repaired as speedily as possible recently when West Mercia Police asked to look at it for possible evidence in a case they were working on.

Fringe gets under way

An evening of stand-up comedy headlined by Alun Cochrane launched the 15th Llangollen Fringe Festival last night (Thursday). 

 

With ten full nights of entertainment to come and 17 workshops during the day, there is a lot to look forward to.

A ten piece band from Ghana and London will really thrill you on Saturday night.  Yaaba Funk is a well-known band with an ever growing reputation who can’t fail to have the whole audience asking for more.

(£10, 20th July).

 

If you fancy something more thought provoking, then on Sunday night there's an audience with Alexei Sayle, well known comedian, broadcaster and writer.  He will entertain with readings from his autobiography ‘Stalin Ate my Homework’ and other as yet unpublished work. (£15, 21st July)

The Jazz Train on Sunday 21st July has three separate bands providing live music.  The first band will play on the platform before departure.

 

The second band will entertain you on your journey to and from Carrog whilst you sip a complimentary glass of wine as the train is pulled through the Dee Valley being hauled by a steam locomotive.

 

A third band will entertain you on Carrog station. A great night for jazz music and the nostalgia evoked by the era of the steam train. £18, 5pm.

 

Look at the website and the programme to see the extensive range of workshops happening over the weekend.

Tickets are still available for Abba Solution and The Blockheads next week, but if you want to guarantee your place then book online now.

Sir Andrew Motion is one of the UK’s literary giants and appears on Thursday 25th July, £10.

 

He will talk about his latest book, The Customs House, and his work with the spoken and written word.

 

Tickets are available to buy at our website:

Tel: 0800 1455 779 or visit: www.llangollenfringe.co.uk

Sun turns up heat for emergency services

Emergency Services in North Wales are hoping local communities and visitors alike can make the most of the recent spell of hot weather but to do so safely and responsibly and consider the extra burden placed on emergency responders in the region.


Chief Superintendent Jeremy Vaughan North Wales Police said: “Whilst it’s great to see the sun we must remember that with the hot weather comes increase visitors to our towns, beaches and parks, more traffic on our roads, increases risk of weather related medical incidents as well more alcohol related incidents.  

"Together with our colleagues in the Welsh Ambulance and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service we are all experiencing increased demands upon our service and whilst we want everyone to enjoy the sun and have fun please do so responsibly and consider the 999 system is for emergencies only.”

Andrew Jenkins, Deputy Director of Medical and Clinical Services at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “It is fair to say that the weather has affected all the demand across Wales. We would really appreciate if people would be considerate when dialling 999, and only do so in life-threatening situations. NHS Direct Wales, GP out-of-hours and pharmacies are all available for help and support with less serious injuries and illnesses.”

NHS Direct Wales, which is part of the Welsh Ambulance Service, has issued some simple advice to help people cope in the heat.   For further information contact  http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/861/page/54328

Gary Brandrick, Senior Fire Safety Manager at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Have fun but stay safe in the summer heat – that is our message to the people of North Wales as the sun continues to shine across our region. 

"We want people to take on board the safety advice we are issuing – it could mean the difference between life and death.   It is important to be extra safety conscious and take more responsibility for your own actions.”

For more safety tips during the summer please click  http://www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk/keeping-you-safe/near-water/advice.aspx?lang=en