AM calls for urgent statement on GP "crisis"

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has called for an urgent statement from the Welsh Government on the GP "crisis" facing North Wales.

 

A leading doctor warned this week that more than half of GP surgeries in North Wales are at risk of closing in the next 12 months.

 

Speaking in this week’s Business Statement, Mr Isherwood said: “Can I again raise the very important, critical matter, where the Vice-Chair of the North Wales Local Medical Committee has today raised a crisis that must be dealt with urgently, if thousands and thousands of people across North Wales are not to suffer?

 

“North Wales Members know already, although we’re sworn to confidentiality, that further closures are in the pipeline that will already affect thousands more patients.

 

"We know that the Chair of the North Wales Local Medical Committee said that both GPs and out-of-hours surgeries are facing ever-growing pressure and that the closure of community hospitals and cuts to minor injuries clinics are responsible for the current crisis facing GPs and accident and emergency departments in North Wales.

 

“I’ve been writing to the Minister about this after meeting GPs in North Wales for nearly two years, highlighting their concerns about the inability to recruit, the British Medical Association description of the impending crisis in North Wales and, of course, the Royal College of General Practitioners’ campaign highlighting this and its causes, including the shortage of beds in community hospitals.

 

"Given the imminent crisis that we’ve been warned about for years and years, what is your Government going to do about it? Please can we have an urgent statement?”

 

The Minister for Finance and Welsh Government Business, Jane Hutt, replied: “We have just announced a new package of support for GP practices and agreed a new two-year contract with GPs. I do believe also, in terms of our work, which is very important, with the General Practitioners Committee Wales and health boards, to encourage ways in which we can ensure that access to primary care has improved, that that is making a difference.”

 

Mr Isherwood added: “If all the problems have now been addressed by the Welsh Government, why do they think this warning was issued today? As GPs in North Wales told me 20 months ago when I met them to discuss the Royal College of General Practioners Wales’ ‘Put Patients First – Back General Practice’ campaign,  top of their serious concerns was recruitment, where the average age of GPs in North Wales was over 50 but that they couldn’t recruit, and other concerns included the shortage of beds at community hospitals.”

Skates drives into school bus row

An Assembly Member says it’s ‘time for common sense to prevail’ as the battle to reinstate an axed school bus continues.

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates has previously called on Denbighshire County Council to reverse the decision to cut the service to Ysgol Caer Drewyn – a plea which fell on deaf ears.

He has now requested a meeting with council chief executive Dr Mohammed Mehmet in a bid to find a resolution to the situation.

More than a dozen families now face walks of between one and two miles along Green Lane, the busy main route for traffic travelling to and from Ruthin.

Mr Skates said: “The parents who don’t drive now either have to pay for 10 taxis a week or walk their children up to two miles each way twice a day along a route which the council until recently deemed hazardous. They feel that their children are being put in danger. 

“I recently obtained a copy of the council’s risk assessment of the route for a constituent, and every parent who has seen it disagrees with the findings.

“Locals will tell you that Green Lane is in need of traffic-calming measures as it is, and I would invite the council officers who don’t think there’s a problem to put themselves in the shoes of the parents and walk the route during the morning rush hour. Let them see how easy it is to walk a half-hour journey while pushing a pram and keep their other children safe when there are no pavements. I’ll happily join them.”

Mr Skates says he will invite Corwen councillors Huw Jones and Simon Watkins along to the meeting if granted a platform by Denbighshire.

The Labour AM added: “I know Huw and Simon have been working hard on this too, so it’s important we work together to get the right result. This is already creating huge difficulties for parents, and I know the school is concerned about the children’s safety.

“The council says it’s ‘following guidelines’, but I’m afraid people see that as an attempt to deflect the blame for this vital service being withdrawn. They are exactly that – guidelines. Each case should be judged on its own merit, and it’s time for common sense to prevail.”

Chance to have your final say on maternity services

 

* Mabon ap Gwynfor with Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood and Carrie Harper, Plaid Cymru Wrexham.
 

Public meetings, including one in Llangollen, have been organised to give people a last chance to have their say on the proposed changes to maternity services at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales have organised three community meetings next week where they will encourage as many people as possible to oppose the proposed downgrading of maternity services in north Wales.

 

The first will be at Brymbo Cricket Club, on Monday 28^th September at 7.30pm.

 

The second meeting will be at the Wynnstay Arms, Ruabon on Wednesday 30^th September at 7.30pm, and the final meeting will be at Llangollen Town Hall, on Thursday 1^st October, at 7.30pm.

The Health Board have put forward four options for maternity services in north Wales

The first is to implement no change to the consultant-led service.

The second option is to downgrade the maternity service at Wrexham Maelor from being a consultant led service to a midwife led unit.

The third is to downgrade maternity services at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor. And the fourth option is to downgrade maternity services at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan.

The consultation will finish on October 5th.

Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru – The Party Of Wales’ Assembly Candidate for Clwyd South, said: “The proposals to downgrade maternity services across north Wales have caused real concern and anxiety for a great many people.

“If the service at Wrexham Maelor is reduced it could mean 1,000 births going to Chester and a further 1,100 going to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. That raises concerns about transport, safety and the increased risk to mothers and babies.

"The poorly attended health board meetings have not addressed those concerns convincingly and it’s vital that people have their say in these local meetings.

"People raise this issue regularly with us and feel disempowered. They want to have their say, and that is why we’ve organised these meetings to gather evidence and information to feed into the Health Board’s consultation. If people want to express their feelings then we would urge them to attend one of these meetings, as it is likely to be their final chance to make a positive contribution.”

People wishing to contribute to the consultation can do so by:
 

* Writing to Maternity Services in North Wales, FREEPOST RSZZ-SGXY-TSEZ, LL17 0JG

 

* Emailing NWalesHaveYourSay@wales.nhs.uk

 

* Or calling Freephone 0800 169 3142 (Monday – Friday 9 – 5, answerphone outside these hours) 

Flu jabs now available at health centre

Llangollen Health Centre has asked us to publish the following message about flu jabs ...

Our flu vaccinations have now arrived. 

You qualify for a flu vaccination on the NHS if you:

* 65 years of age or over
* have a chronic disease such as heart, renal, liver, neurological or respiratory disease 
* have diabetes
* have had a stroke or TIA
* are in receipt of a carer’s allowance  or  are the carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill
* are pregnant
* are a community first responder
* are a member of a recognised voluntary organisation  which provides planned emergency first aid at organised public events

Children aged two and three years (born on or after 1 September 2011 and on or before 31 August 2013), are eligible to have a nasal vaccination.

* To book your appointment please ring the Health Centre on 01978 860625.

Gwyn the Butchers wins top high street award

* Winner: Gwyn the Butchers in Castle Street.

A well-known Llangollen business has landed a top award from the Welsh Government.

Gwyn the Butchers in Castle Street was recently shortlisted for the High Street Heroes Awards established by Communities Minister Lesley Griffiths.

And it's just been announced that the shop, which recently hosted a visit by the Prince of Wales on the day he was attending the International Eisteddfod, is the winner in the awards' hotly contested Food and Drink category.

During a visit to Gwyn Davies, Lesley Griffiths said: "It should be a source of great pride to all of the winners of the High Street Favourites categories to have been celebrated in this way by local people.

"These businesses provide vital services and great produce, as well as valuable places for family and friends to come together to socialise.

“It is great to be here to meet the winner of the Food and Drink category, Gwyn Davies.

"The members of the public who nominated Gwyn praised the friendly and personal service they receive at his family business as well as his dedicated community work. Congratulations on your well-deserved award.”

The announcement comes during High Street Week, the highlight of the Welsh Government’s Support Your High Street campaign, which encourages people to make use of the excellent shops and businesses available on their doorstep.

Events and fun family activities are taking place across Wales this week, such as food and craft fairs, children’s activities, vintage days and street parties.

Winners in the various categories are:

• Food and Drink - Gwyn Davies Butchers, Llangollen, Denbighshire
• Fashion, health and beauty - Pout Boutique, Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf
• Leisure, home and garden - Pieces for Places, Barmouth, Gwynedd
• Professional and financial services - HighStreet Media, Treorchy, Rhondda Cynon Taf
• Eating out on the high street - Denbigh Chocolate Shop, Denbigh, Denbighshire
• Community service provider - Artie Craftie, Blaenavon, Torfaen

Bond fan AM plans 007-themed fundraiser

A North Wales Assembly Member and life-long Bond fan is holding a 007-themed fundraiser as part of his 2016 election campaign.

Ken Skates, AM for Clwyd South, is issuing an open invitation to his Bond Ball in Ruabon on Friday, October 30, the same week the franchise’s latest movie Spectre hits UK cinema screens.

* The name's Skates - Ken Skates. 

Mr Skates said: “The evening will include a carvery, Buck's Fizz on arrival, music, roulette and prizes for the b est Bond-themed outfit. You only live twice, so dust off your dinner jacket, cocktail dress or metal-rimmed bowler hat and come along for a great night – I’ll be expecting you.”

The evening will take place at the Wynnstay Arms Hotel and tickets, which include food and drinks on arrival, are £30. Money raised will go towards Mr Skates’ Assembly election fund.

The Labour AM added: “Rather than just asking for people’s money to fund my campaign, I’m offering something in return – a fun night with food and entertainment.”

Mr Skates, the Welsh Government minister responsible for culture, sport and tourism, has been busy taking part in Bond-inspired activities this year to promote North Wales as Europe’s adventure capital.

He has sped across the waters of Pwllheli on a jet-ski, rode the waves of Surf Snowdonia, flow down the world’s largest zipwire in Bethesda and raced around Anglesey Circuit in a supercar.

Mr Skates said: “I’ve been blown away by the number of fantastic adventures across North Wales and am now a fully-fledged devotee of adventure tourism.”

Spectre, the 24^th film in the 007 series, sees Daniel Craig reprise his role as the smooth-talking secret agent. Its UK release date is Monday, October 26.

* If you are interested in buying tickets, email ken4clwydsouth@gmail.com.

Reminder to apply for cash seized from criminals

Time is running out for community groups in North Wales to bid for a share of a £42,000 pot of money seized from criminals.

 

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick CB QC is urging organisations which help tackle anti-social behaviour and combat crime and disorder to get their application in before the deadline on October 2.

 

The scheme has been set up by Mr Roddick, North Wales Police and the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT).

 

Two groups from each county stand to receive £3,000 apiece while £6,000 is available for a group that operates across North Wales.

 

The Your Community, Your Choice initiative - otherwise known as the Participatory Budgeting Scheme - is being partly funded by the money recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act, using cash confiscated from offenders with the rest coming from Mr Roddick (pictured right).

 

Community groups are being urged to apply before the closing date on October 2.

 

Application packs can be found on the websites of the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner and North Wales Police.

 

A shortlist of applicants will be chosen by a special panel and from November 1 members of the public will decide which groups to support with a vote via the two websites and a dedicated email address.

 

Voting will then take place between October 26 and November 27.

 

Mr Roddick said: "Last year we had bids from across North Wales from all sorts of interesting groups doing great things in their local communities and I’m hoping for an even greater response this year.

 

"I would urge organisations to get their bids in now to make sure that they do not to miss out on this opportunity to hit criminals where it hurts most, their pockets.”

 

"It’s a first class scheme which brings the police and the community closer together.

 

"It gives an opportunity for the community to decide how they would like to see the funds we’ve extracted from criminals spent in their community.

 

"It also sends a very good message that crime does not pay and the ill-gotten gains of criminals are going back into the communities from which the money was taken.

 

"This is an opportunity to provide support for some fantastic community organisations in every part of North Wales.

 

"We are inviting the groups to make their applications and explain, if they are successful, how they would spend the money.

 

"What they do will contribute to the Police and Crime Plan to reduce crime and disorder in the area and that is a really positive thing.

 

"Our aim is to make North Wales an even safer place to live, work and visit."

 

Assistant Chief Constable Richard Debicki was equally enthusiastic.

 

He said: “I think the value of a scheme like this is it allows members of the public and local organisations right in the heart of communities to bid into a fund and to be part of the solutions to crime and disorder in their area.

 

"The money is from the Police Commissioner’s fund as well as money which has been seized, and assets confiscated from the proceeds of crime.

 

"It's absolutely right and proper that the money taken out of the hands of criminals is put back into the community.

 

"We are very happy to be a partner of the Police and Crime Commissioner in this initiative."

"This initiative should help to give the local community a great deal of confidence that the Police and the Commissioner are listening to their concerns.

 

"This is about the local community and local organisations working together and working with the police to put things in place at a local level in order to tackle the issues which matter to the public most.

 

PACT manager Dave Evans explained "The fund will be open for application by email using a standard application form that will be available on both the PCC’s website and North Wales Police’s website.

 

"We have had some particularly high quality applications in the last couple of years and we are looking for a similar quality this time.

 

“Applicants have to be a properly constituted community group or a registered charity and the main criterion is that the project in question helps to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

 

“It gives us the opportunity to engage with a wide variety of community groups and also importantly gives our local neighbourhood policing teams the opportunity to engage with those groups and support them with those projects that they want to run.

 

"I would highly recommend that applicants considering putting in a bid liaise with their local neighbourhood policing team to discuss their bid and make sure that it is as comprehensive as possible."

 

* Completed applications must be returned via email to participatorybudgetfund@nthwales.pnn.police.uk by the closing date on October 2. For more information ring 01745 588516 or go to www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk or www.north-wales.police.uk