October 2013

Annual flu vaccintation

Befriend a patient

Hospital refurbishment

Choose pharmacy

No to violence and aggression

New dialysis unit

Scrubbing up in Afghanistan

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Cwm Taf Health Board is holding a ceremony for parents and families who have lost a child or baby. The ceremony has run for over 16 years and has helped many parents to get through an

awful time in their life after grieving for the loss of their child. The ceremony for ‘remembering children and babies lost’ will be held on Monday 18 November 2013 at 7pm in St David’s Church,

High Street, Merthyr Tydfil.

For further information on this ceremony contact Helen Shilton or Karen Symonds in Prince Charles Hospital on 01685 728890.

For further information on the press release contact sharon.draper@wales.nhs.uk

Remembering loved and lost babies and children

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Royal Glamorgan Hospital: 01443 443 443

Prince Charles Hospital: 01685 721 721

Ysbyty Cwm Cynon: 01443 715 211

Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda: 01443 430 022

Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda Minor Injuries - Phone First: 01443 444 075

Dewi Sant Hospital: 01443 486 222

Ysbyty George Thomas: 01443 430 022

Y Bwthyn: 01443 443 758

Keir Hardie Health Park: 01685 351 021

USEFUL CONTACTS

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Annual campaign to protect people in Wales against flu underway

Can you be-friend a patient? Cwm Taf needs you!

Final phase of Prince Charles Hospital refurbishment approved

HEALTH Minister Mark Drakeford will today launch the pioneering new Choose Pharmacy scheme at Hirwaun’s Co-operative Pharmacy

Violence and aggression towards NHS staff ‘will not be tolerated’

New dialysis unit for Merthyr Tydfil

Staff from Prince Charles and Royal Glamorgan hospitals will be scrubbing up in Afghanistan

CONTENTS

Annual campaign to protect people in Wales against flu underway.This year 2 and 3 year olds and pupils in school year 7 to be tar-geted as well as individuals most at risk of serious complications of flu.

The annual flu immunisation pro-gramme is underway in Wales.

The programme aims to ensure that the people who need it most get free protection each year against the flu. This includes ev-eryone aged 65 and over, people with certain long term health conditions and pregnant women.

This year for the first time a flu nasal spray vaccine is being offered to children who were two or three years old on 1 Septem-ber and school year 7 pupils. The younger children will have the spray in their GP practice and Year 7 children will receive their nasal spray vaccine in school.  Dr Richard Roberts, Head of Vaccine Preventable Disease Pro-gramme in Public Health Wales, said, “Flu can be serious for peo-ple of any age. Flu can’t usually be treated but it can be largely prevented though one simple vaccination. So it’s important that you beat flu before it beats you.

“Not many people realise that children also catch flu. About one in 10 get flu each winter. This year some children are being of-fered a nasal spray vaccine against flu. This is not an injection but a spray given up the nose.”

“Every year people die from flu and its compli-cations. The flu vaccine is safe, effective, and free for those who are at risk. It can help protect peo-ple who are most vulner-able to serious complica-tions of flu.”

Last year (2012-13) in Wales, 67.7% of people aged 65 and over and 49.7% of people under 65 in

‘at risk’ groups were immunised. Dr Roberts said “Many people 65 and over or in at risk groups get their free flu vaccination every year. I urge those who don’t usu-ally have the vaccine to go to their GP to get their free flu vaccina-tion before flu starts to circulate again.”

Each year the flu vaccine is changed to match any new cir-culating strains of the flu virus. Most free NHS flu vaccines are given in GP surgeries, but are also available in some community

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Can you be-friend a patient? Cwm Taf needs you!Cwm Taf Health Board is looking for volunteers to offer a befriend-ing service to patients and sup-port staff on the wards in Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda.

The pilot ward volunteer scheme will introduce friendly faces at the bedside to support those patients who need help with general is-sues, such as reading or writing or even to just share general conver-sations.

Rebecca Aylward, a senior nurse involved in the befriending scheme, said: “This will further enhance our patients’ experience while they are in hospital. The volunteers will work alongside the nursing teams supporting patients and their families in a bid to make their hospital stay a positive one”.

Strict confidence is essential and the volunteer will need to offer at least four hours a week of their time.

Volunteers’ duties will vary from ward to ward but further details will be available at a workshop at Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda on No-vember 26 at 3pm at Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda. To book a place or for more details about the befriend-ing scheme, please contact Kath-ryn Doughton on 01443 744819 or email kathryn.doughton@wales.nhs.uk

pharmacies.

Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by a virus that affects the lungs and airways. Symptoms generally come on suddenly, and can include fever, chills, head-ache, cough, body aches and fatigue.

The flu virus is spread via drop-lets which are sprayed into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Direct contact with contaminated hands or surfac-es can also spread infection. It

can spread rapidly, especially in closed communities such as hospitals, residential homes and schools.

Public Health Wales carries out influenza surveillance throughout the flu season. Data is collected routinely from GP surgeries for weekly reports which are avail-able for both health professionals and the public.

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Final phase of Prince Charles Hos-pital refurbishment approvedPLANS for the final phase of the ground and first floor refurbish-ment of Prince Charles Hospital, in Merthyr Tydfil, have been approved by the Welsh Govern-ment.

The £120m scheme, which will complete the rebuilding of the hospital from the inside out, will ensure patients receive their care, including surgery, in modern, fit-for-purpose surroundings.

This final phase of the redevel-opment of Prince Charles Hos-pital will see a newly designed entrance added to the site for outpatients (far right of picture above) and a new theatres unit for the hospital.

Announcing approval for the scheme’s outline business case, Health Minister Mark Drakeford, said: “I’m delighted to approve plans for the final phase of the refurbishment of Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr, which will provide much improved facili-ties for patients in the Cwm Taf Health Board area.

“This £119m investment is another example of our commitment to the health service in Wales despite the continuation of tough economic conditions.”

The final stage of work will involve the phased modernisa-tion of a number of clinical and

non-clinical areas on the ground and first floors, including:

• Main and day theatres• Critical care • Pathology• Pharmacy• Radiology• Medical records• Kitchen and dining area• Key clinical office accommo-

dation• Physiotherapy, including hy-

drotherapy• Main outpatients and ward 15• Diabetic unit

The work will involve stripping the hospital back to its original steel frame to remove asbestos from the building and ensuring up-to-date fire prevention design

All efforts will be made to mi-nimise disruption to staff and patients and it is expected it will take five years for the main work to be carried out to ensure that current service levels are main-tained.

It is expected that Cwm Taf Health Board will submit a full

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business case to the Welsh Gov-ernment for consideration next year.

Earlier phases have seen all the wards at the hospital completely refurbished and modernised and the creation of the new emergen-cy care centre and day surgery unit.

Health Minister Mark Drakeford, who officially opened the refur-bished wards in July, said: “The refurbishment work was essential to ensure safe and sustainable

health care in the Prince Charles Hospital. It was a huge under-taking, but patient services were maintained without disruption at all times under difficult circum-stances.”

Allison Williams, chief executive of Cwm Taf Health Board, said: “This final phase of the refurbish-ment scheme represents the last stage of the process to modernise Prince Charles Hospital and improve facilities for patients and staff.

“There has been a lot of building work at the hospital over the last few years and we’re incredibly grateful for people’s patience and understanding while this has been happening.

“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this next phase of work may cause but it is essential to ensure patients from Merthyr Tydfil, south Powys and neighbouring areas receive their high-quality care in modern, fit-for-purpose surroundings.”

Artist impression of Prince Charles Hospital

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HEALTH Minister Mark Drakeford has launched the pioneering new Choose Pharma-cy scheme at Hir-waun’s Co-operative PharmacyThe Choose Pharmacy scheme – also known as the common ailments scheme – is being pilot-

ed in 32 pharmacies in the Betsi Cadwaladr and Cwm Taf health board areas.

Patients living in the Cynon Valley, suffering from a range of common ailments will be able to receive free advice and treatment from their pharmacist instead of making an appointment to see their GP.

Professor Drakeford said: “I am delighted to be launching Choose Pharmacy in 32 pharmacies in pathfinder areas in Cwm Taf and Betsi Cadwaladr Health Boards.

“Choose Pharmacy, will help to establish community pharmacy as the first port of call for people seeking advice and treatment for common minor ailments.

“I firmly believe that community pharmacy has an important role to play in promoting the appro-priate and responsible use of NHS services and in supporting people to be able to take more respon-sibility for their own health and wellbeing.

“The launch of the Choose Phar-macy service marks an important

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step in promoting the specif-ic contribution pharmacy can make.”

Pharmacists involved in the Choose Pharmacy pilots will assess and treat patients suffer-ing from a range of conditions, including hay fever, threadworm, conjunctivitis, head lice, sore throats, constipation and indiges-tion.

Pharmacists will supply medi-cines from an agreed list, give advice, or refer to the GP if neces-sary.  Medicines will be given free of charge* removing the payment barrier which can prevent pa-tients choosing to see a pharma-cist instead of their GP.

Professor Roger Walker, Wales’ chief pharmaceutical officer, said: “This service, in many ways brings together our aspiration of getting community pharmacy more engaged in the front line. It means we can register patients who are registered with GPs in Wales.”

Matthew Jones, regional manager at the Co-operative Pharmacy said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as one of the 14 branches in the Cynon Valley for this pilot service as we believe it gives local community pharma-cies the opportunity to treat local people with common ailments rather than taking up the valuable time of GPs.

“Pharmacists are playing an increasing role in helping people manage their own health, work-ing more closely with GPs and other health professionals, and this service will make a real dif-ference to the whole community.

“As no appointment is necessary,

patients can attend at a time con-venient for themselves including weekends. Where appropriate, they will be given a medicine to treat their symptoms if they are eligible”.

Welsh Government figures show up to 18% of a GP’s time is taken up dealing with patients suffering from common ailments.  Under the new scheme, patients will be encouraged to consult a pharma-cist, rather than their GP, for a defined list of ailments. Dr Owen Thomas, senior partner at St John’s Medical Practice, in Aberdare said: “The launch of the Choose Pharmacy scheme marks the start of an exciting new primary care-based initiative that shows progressive and inclusive thinking for the provision of pri-mary care. 

“It offers increased availability of healthcare professional time to try to manage the increased expectations and demands of the patients. 

“Combined with better patient education on how best to use the available services, the hope is that the present blockades on

GP time can be lifted and allow a more prospective approach to chronic disease management and so potentially impact hugely on reducing morbidity of the people and improve quality of life for our patients.”

The benefits of this service will promote self-care and improve access to services for minor ailments and free GP time to deal with more complex cases. Even though the scheme encourages people to make full use of their local community pharmacists for minor ailments, they will still be able to attend their GP surgeries if they feel it is necessary.  

Marc Donovan who is head of professional capability for Boots UK said: “We are delighted to be involved in the development and launch of the Choose Pharmacy scheme which will allow patients to access medicines and advice through visiting their pharmacist.

“We know that patients find pharmacists an accessible source of support for a number of minor ailments and this scheme will help ensure that patients visit the appropriate healthcare profes-sional when they need them.”

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Violence and ag-gression towards NHS staff ‘will not be tolerated’MORE than 170 people have been prosecuted for or warned about abusive behaviour towards NHS staff in Cwm Taf in just six months.

The figures come as a new mem-orandum of understanding between the four police forces in Wales, the Crown Prosecu-tion Service and NHS Wales will strengthen the zero tolerance ap-proach to violence and aggression towards NHS staff.

Speaking on National Personal Safety Day (October 14), Health Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Not only does this memoran-dum of understanding provide a clear understanding of the re-spective roles, responsibilities and processes involved, but it will also help NHS staff better understand the criminal justice system and have confidence that it can deliver the right results.

“This agreement builds on a num-ber of related initiatives already in place throughout Wales - such as the installation of CCTV in clin-ical areas, lone worker safety de-vices connected to police control centres and support systems for victims of violence or aggression. Our approach has seen a huge rise in successful prosecutions.

“The challenge now is to imple-ment this memorandum of un-derstanding, with its clear state-ment on prosecution policy, to reinforce the message that neither violence nor aggression against NHS staff will be tolerated.”

In the first six months of 2013, Cwm Taf Health Board has suc-cessfully prosecuted a number of people who were violent or aggressive towards NHS staff.Sentences passed by magistrates’ and crown courts include:

• 12-month community order for aggressive and threatening behaviour

• 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and a £150 fine for assault and aggressive and threatening

behaviour• Fines of £178 and £142 for

verbal abuse towards NHS staff

• Youth rehabilitation order for assault

• Six-month community order and £245 fine for theft, assault and aggressive and threaten-ing behaviour

Cwm Taf Health Board works closely with the Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf commu-nity safety partnerships to tackle violent and aggressive behaviour against NHS staff and made 68 anti-social behaviour referrals in the first six months of 2013.

It has also placed 55 warning markers on patients’ records to warn staff about the potential risk of violent or aggressive behaviour and the health board has sent 40 code of conduct letters to patients to inform them their behaviour towards staff was unacceptable.Dave Lewis, Cwm Taf Health Board’s violence and aggression case manager, said: “We take all acts of abusive or threatening behaviour towards our staff very seriously and will take action against the perpetrators.

“Our staff come to work every day, often in very stressful and demanding circumstances, to help people. Abuse, threats and violence are not and never should be part of their daily work.“The memorandum of under-standing will help us to ensure that we can take action when our staff are threatened and it will strengthen the already close relationships we have forged with the community safety partner-ships and the Crown Prosecution Service.”

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New dialysis unit for Merthyr Tydfil A NEW 30-station dialysis unit for patients in Merthyr Tydfil will open on March 3, 2014.

The contract for the new unit, which will replace the outdated and cramped facilities at Prince Charles Hospital, in Merthyr Tyd-fil, has been awarded to Fresenius Medical Care.

This new larger unit will be based in Goat Mill Road in Merthyr Tydfil and will mean patients no longer have to travel to oth-er units in South Wales to have dialysis.

Current space restrictions at the Prince Charles Hospital dialysis unit, which has 13 stations and is more than 20 years old, means more than 20 local patients have to go elsewhere in South Wales for dialysis.

The Prince Charles Hospital unit has also suffered from significant and ongoing structural and main-tenance issues.

Dr Richard Moore, the lead clini-cian for the Welsh Renal Clinical Network, said:

“This is a significant invest-ment in renal services for the patients of Merthyr Tydfil and is part of the Welsh Renal Clinical Network’s commit-ment to improve access to renal and dialysis services across Wales.”

Rob Kendrick, a patient represen-tative at the current dialysis unit:

“We have been waiting for quite a few years for a new unit and the prospect of a new up-to-date unit is very exciting not only for the patients but also the staff who have had to put up with a below standard building for far too long.

“With the ever-increasing num-ber of dialysis patients we have always believed that a much big-ger and better-equipped unit was required. So we are all very excited about moving into our new unit.”

As well as providing more local

treatment for patients who need dialysis, the new unit will also increase the provision of other local renal services, including self care and home dialysis training. Additional consultant sessions will also be provided to support the new larger unit.

Shaun Tudge, clinic services di-rector of Fresenius Medical Care, said: “The new unit will really be a first class dialysis facility for Wales. It is being fitted out to the latest healthcare facility and environmental standards and equipped with the most modern equipment available.

“Each patient will have their own radio and TV, free wi-fi and a refreshment service and patients will have access to more outpa-tient appointments at the unit in one of the three new dedicated consulting rooms.”

Kamal Asaad, medical direc-tor of Cwm Taf Health Board, said: “This new unit will en-sure that patients receive their dialysis treatment in modern, purpose-built surroundings. We look forward to seeing this new, much-needed facility opening in March 2014.”

Dr Paul Worthington, chief offi-cer Cwm Taf Community Health Council, added: “This is really great news for patients in our area. Our CHC members have been concerned for some time about the quality of the environ-ment at the current dialysis unit and we’ve been very keen to see improvements.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing the high-quality, modern facilities that local patients and the staff caring for them deserve.”

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This autumn, three members of staff from Prince Charles and Royal Glamor-gan hospitals will be scrubbing up in Afghanistan as they treat the wounded and sick in Camp Bastion as members of 203 Field Hospi-tal.

MAJOR Teresa Levett will be run-ning the theatres at Camp Bastion when she arrives in Afghanistan at the start of a six-month deploy-ment.

The officer-in-charge of 203 Field Hospital (V) HQ Detachment has worked three times in Helmand Province during her nine-year career with the Army Reserves (formally the Territorial Army).

While she will deploy with 203 Field Hospital in the autumn, Maj Levett will spend sixth months in Afghanistan, instead of the normal three, as she continues to work with the next UK field hospital unit to be sent out.

“I’ve been deployed to Afghani-stan three times – in 2008, 2010 and now. In 2010, I deployed with the Scottish field hospital as an individual in

the role

as the trauma nurse coordinator, an extremely challenging role. On this occasion, I will be offi-cer-in-charge of the operating theatres.

“That means ensuring that qual-ity patient care is provided at all times and necessary, improve where the need may arise; It is essential all the equipment and resources, including staff are in excellent working order to meet all eventualities. Training and being competent in the service we provide is paramount.

“Even in Bastion we are under the umbrella of clinical governance where we are continuously audit-ing what we are doing and how.”

Maj Levett, who is an orthopae-dic team leader in theatres at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, in Llantrisant, added: “I’m really

looking forward to the challenges of the

role. I’ve been in theatres for

18 years so to take

com-

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mand is quite an honour.”

The 52-year-old mother-of-three, who lives in Tonyrefail, joined 203 Field Hospital in 2004. She had originally hoped to join the regular Army as a teenager but was advised to train as a nurse in the NHS instead – advice she followed.

Maj Levett said: “It’s something that I always wanted to do, one way or another – I had a brother and a cousin in the armed forces.

“I’ve been very lucky; all my children are very supportive and because I’ve been out twice before they are aware of the situation and have incredible support from those in the unit while we are away with regular updates and family days. Of course I will miss them.

“There’s a huge commitment in what we do; it’s very much about teamwork – while you’re out there you’re watching everyone

else’s back and they’re watch-

ing yours,

supporting, guiding and encour-aging.

“The military ethos, command and training, skills and knowl-edge has influenced practice within the NHS.

“I try to utilise what I’ve learned in the NHS and in the military for the benefits of a wider popu-lation. It is a partnership. I’m not just doing a Monday to Friday role; the teams I work with have a wealth of knowledge, togeth-er we could be involved in new experiences that could potentially expand and advance the quality of care we provide for casualties within a war zone or with our patients at home in the future.”

LEIGHTON Davies believes he owes his NHS and Army Reserves career to a chance meeting with colleague Phil Thom-as in Iraq.

At the

time, the 43-year-old was work-ing for the DVLA and had initial-ly joined an infantry unit in the Reserves to play the cornet in the brass band. When the band broke up in 1999, Corporal Davies became a combat medical techni-cian, which took him to Iraq for a six-month tour of duty.

“I was on guard duty and cleaning toilets for six months in Iraq,” he said. “After three months of this I met Phil Thomas in the hospital theatres and he told me about the role of the operating department practitioner – I thought it was just doctors and nurses. It had never crossed my mind doing a job like that.”

On his return from Iraq, Cpl Davies retrained as an operating department practitioner, qualifying in 2007 and tak-ing up a

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job in Prince Charles Hospital, in Merthyr Tydfil.

“If it wasn’t for being in the Army and in Iraq and then meeting Phil, I wouldn’t be where I am today – I’ve always felt indebted to the Army.”

Cpl Davies, who lives in Cwml-lynfell, has previously deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as an op-erating department practitioner and will work alongside other members of 203 Field Hospital in Camp Bastion for three months this autumn.

“The last time I was in Afghani-stan, I had one day off in three-and-a-half months and, at one time, I operated for 27 hours without a break – casualties were coming in and you kept working to save lives.

“It’s very high intensity work and a very different environment to the NHS – you’re there doing very exciting operations and you feel very proud that you’re saving lives.

I enjoy working in a hospital and I enjoy operations – I find it an exciting place to work and an exciting job. The pinnacle of this work is Camp Bastion – it’s one of the busiest trauma hospitals in the world.

“If you like working in a hospital and find it exciting, then that’s the place to be because that’s where you’re doing your most extreme, exciting and proudest work.”

Cpl Davies said: “I feel I’ve been very privileged – I’ve been in the Army Reserves for 16 years and I’ve travelled the world.

“My family are very proud – they

didn’t want me to go but they understand the work that I do.”

PHIL Thomas’ dream of joining the Army was quashed when he became a father at a young age. Instead he joined the Territorial Army (now the Army Reserves), serving initially as an infantry soldier.

It was a decision which would impact on his civilian NHS ca-reer, moving him from a job in a hospital kitchen to the operating theatres.

The 47-year-old, from Penderyn, who left school with no quali-fications, was inspired to sit his GCSEs at night school by a TA officer. With the support of a theatre manager at Prince Charles Hospital, in Merthyr Tydfil, he trained and began work as an op-erating department practitioner. In time, he joined 203 Field Hospital.

Now a captain, he is preparing for another tour of duty as 203 Field Hospital is deployed to Afghan-istan to run hospital facilities at Camp Bastion.

He has previously been deployed to Iraq – working on the Kuwaiti border and in Basra – and, in 2008 when 203 Field Hospital de-ployed en masse to Afghanistan for the first time in its history, Cpt Thomas worked as the theatre manager, running all the theatres at Camp Bastion.

“It’s mentally and physically tough. In the NHS, your shift is eight hours but the longest time I worked in Afghanistan was 38 to 39 hours in one go, non-stop. It becomes a normal thing and you get used to it.

“I do think there’s more pres-sure though working in the NHS than in Camp Bastion – when you’re under pressure in Camp

Bastion it’s usually because you have a number of very, very sick casualties but everyone seems to work together more as a team and resources are never a problem.

“I think people in the NHS don’t realise how spoiled they are – it’s when you go away that you realise how good things are in both places.”

Cpt Thomas admitted he has “mixed feelings” about deploy-ing to Afghanistan, although he said as soon as he arrives he will “switch on and get on with it”.

“We’re very well prepared before we leave and I’m probably more at risk of having a care accident coming to work at Prince Charles Hospital than I am in Afghani-stan,” he added.

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