Ambulance Service launches pioneering learning programme

THE Welsh Ambulance Service has launched a pioneering learning programme that helps people with learning disabilities to discover more about the health service.

The ‘Beginners Guide to the Health Service’ on the Trust’s website includes easy-read booklets, discussion topics and interactive games and quizzes to help people understand what to do if they are hurt or feeling unwell.

The scheme is barely off the ground but has already been scooping coveted awards, including the Equality and Diversity award at the UK Healthcare People Management Association (HPMA) Excellence Awards, as well as the Overall Winner award.

Leanne Hawker from Partners in Healthcare, the team tasked with educating the public on the work of the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “The Beginners Guide to the Health Service has been designed to be a fun and informative way of learning about what to do and where to go for help, if someone is hurt or feels unwell.

“This project has meant that patients are now able to make informed choices regarding their own health care, and use emergency services more appropriately so freeing up staff time for urgent calls.”

South Wales West AM Bethan Jenkins launched the scheme at St Phillips Community Centre in Swansea, where Swansea Council hosts the ‘Face It’ club for adults with learning disabilities.

Also at the launch were members of Swansea People First, an organisation of and for adults with learning disabilities, including the Trust’s newly-appointed Community Champion for People with Learning Disabilities, Darren Murugasan.

Leanne added: “People with learning disabilities are more likely to access healthcare services as they have higher levels of ill health than the general population.

“We are delighted to launch a learning programme that will help give people with learning disabilities the knowledge and confidence to be able to seek the right help, from the most appropriate healthcare service.”

You can find the ‘Beginners Guide to the Health Service’ in the Learning Disabilities Zone of the Welsh Ambulance Service website.

It also includes a parent/facilitator pack that can be used as a guide to help parents and support workers get the most from the programme.

See www.ambulance.wales.nhs.uk for more information.

* South Wales West AM Bethan Jenkins with Swansea

People First’s Darren Murugasan, who is also the Trust’s

newly-appointed Community Champion for People with

Learning Disabilities.

Choral Variations celebrates 30th anniversary

Local choir, Choral Variations, is hosting a special event to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its formation at the Druids Club tomorrow, Friday, October 25.

Choir spokesman Mike Gleed said: "I wish to let you know of an event taking place involving a well known local choir and even better known musical director.

"The choir is Choral Variations the MD is Owen Maelor Roberts, the event 30th anniversary of the choir's formation.

"We are celebrating with invited guests. The choir will give a small rendition of some of its varied repertoire and refreshments will be enjoyed by all.

"Well done Owen, you are talented, inspirational and very patient, thank you."

Appeal lodged over wind turbine plan

An appeal has been lodged against a decision by Denbighshire County Council to refuse plans for a wind turbine development at Llety Road, Gwyddelwern.

The application, refused at a Planning Committee meeting in June, was for the installation of a 500 kW wind turbine up to 77m to blade tip (up to 50m to hub height), access tracks and hardstanding, transformer station and ancillary works.  

The appeal will be dealt with by written representation and copies of comments already received at application stage  will be forwarded to the Planning Inspectorate. 

If people wish to make any additional comments, they must submit two  copies to the Planning Inspectorate, Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ by 22/11/2013. 

Alternatively, people can contact the Planning Inspectorate by e-mail at www.planningportal.gov.uk/appeal quoting the Planning Inspectorate’s appeal reference : APP/R6830/A/13/2202906.

Does anyone know Iris Rogers, asks local MP

The local MP is trying to put a lady from Holland in touch with a Llangollen resident whose father was billeted with her family in Amsterdam at the end of the Second World War.

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones was in Amsterdam recently when she met up with Lenneke Verheul.

Lenneke told her that she was trying to contact an Iris Rogers who she recalled used to live in a red – or red brick - house on the outskirts of Llan.

Ms Jones said: “Iris' father was billeted to stay with Lenneke's family at the end of the Second World War. Lenneke herself stayed with Iris as part of her honeymoon.”

Lenneke's email address is: lenneke.verheul@gmail.com

Concerns over neonatal report "delay"

Concerns are growing about the delay in publishing the findings of the North Wales neonatal review.

 

The review was announced after Betsi Cadwaladr health board decided, against clinical advice, to move neonatal intensive care to Arrowe Park on the Wirral.

 

The First Minister ordered the review by a team from the Royal College of Paediatricans earlier this year with the intention of reporting back by September.

 

Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru AM for North Wales, said: “Betsi Cadwaladr board made a decision back in January that mystified most people, in particular experts in the field such as the BMA, RCN and RCM.  As a result of pressure from campaign groups, the relevant unions and politicians such as myself, the First Minister was forced to order a review into the decision.

 

“The decision is critical for the future of neonatal care in the North because it would reduce the number of intensive care cots from the current 11 to just four. These would be purely to stabilise babies needing intensive care before transferring them to England. There is no doubt that clinical expertise will be reduced in Glan Clwyd and Wrexham hospitals if this switch takes place.

 

“I and many experts in the field have grave doubts about whether this will put both the babies that are moved and those needing critical care who remain in North Wales at greater risk. There are also concerns about the additional travelling difficulties for parents and families for babies facing long-term intensive care in Arrowe Park, especially if they have to come from further west.”

 

Mr Gruffydd urged the First Minister to speed up the decision: “Carwyn Jones took the decision to call in this switch back in March. Our understanding is that the review panel  handed him the report more than a month ago.  The switch to Arrowe Park is due to start in January 2014 and the ongoing delay and uncertainty is having an effect on both staff morale and security.

 

“I would therefore urge the First Minister to come clean about his intentions about neonatal intensive care in North Wales. It’s time for some decisive action rather than dilly-dallying.”

 

Profiling Rachel's Llan pictures

Keen local amateur photographer Rachel Morris has produced a portfolio of atmospheric pictures of Llangollen subjects.

llanblogger will be serialising them over coming weeks because we believe they deserve a wider audience.

Here we bring you the first three images, complete with their titles underneath the pictures.

* 1. Autumn Dee.

* 2. Baileys.

* 3. Berwyn Street.

Tourism in focus next month

Denbighshire Tourism Forum is being held on Wednesday 6th November at Ruthin Castle. 

The event is a morning of workshops and participation which will help decide the content of the Denbighshire Destination Management Plan.

This is a business-led action plan to ensure that visitors to our region have the best possible experience whilst they are here.  

Registration is at 10am, Forum starts at 10.30am and lunch and networking from 1.30pm.  If you would like to attend contact 01824 706223 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 01824 706223 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting or email dcc_tourism@denbighshire.gov.uk