Latest news with #AneurinBevan
South Wales Argus
12 hours ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
£120m to reduce NHS waiting times in Wales announced
This comes as the latest NHS Wales performance data for April and May 2025 reveal the scale of the challenge ahead. The data show a slight increase in the number of people waiting more than two years for treatment compared to March. However, this figure is 86 per cent lower than its peak. Swansea Bay and Powys health boards have no pathways waiting longer than two years and no one-year waits for a first outpatient appointment. Hywel Dda and Aneurin Bevan university health boards each have fewer than 300 patient pathways waiting more than two years for treatment. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, however, has the most pathways waiting more than two years for treatment in Wales. Mr Miles said: "It is disappointing to see the increase in long waits in April after all the progress health boards have made over the last few months. "However, this is an annual trend seen in April in Wales and also the other UK nations. "This is why we are making changes to how the NHS provides planned care and are investing £120m to bring down waiting times this year. "This new funding will mean more and faster appointments, tests and treatments over the next 12 months." Nearly 2,000 people started their cancer treatment in April, with just under 15,000 people informed they did not have cancer. Urgent and emergency care services remain busy, with the Welsh Ambulance Service experiencing the busiest May on record. Despite this, the median response time performance was exactly eight minutes, with more than 80 per cent of calls responded to within 15 minutes. The public is urged to call NHS 111 for advice to ensure they receive the right care from the appropriate NHS service for their needs.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Australian PM says Welsh roots shaped her
Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has said her strong sense of Welsh heritage helped shaped her view of politics. Gillard was born in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, and was only four years old when her family emigrated to Australia. The 63-year-old, who was the Australian Labor Party prime minister from 2010-2013 said figures such as Anuerin Bevan were "idolised" in her home and her parents instilled in her the idea that politics can affect real change. Ms Gillard recently sat down with Wales' First Minister Eluned Morgan who, like her, was the first female leader of her country. Neither of her parents spoke Welsh "apart from the occasional swear word", but had a "very strong sense of their Welsh identity," Gillard said. ''We always had this sense that our lives were formed in Australia, but we knew we had this heritage," she added. Gillard recalled that her father was particularly interested in politics and news from his hometown and he had a great impact on her career. ''He gave me the sense that politics really mattered and that it could change people's lives," she added. She remembered understanding even as a child the impact a "transformative figure" like Aneurin Bevan could have on people. He could "make people's lives better" and "I was obviously attracted by that", she said. ''But it was a long time before the penny dropped that I was the kind of person that could go into politics," she added. She recently reflected on this in an interview for her podcast with Morgan, Wales' first minister. ''We got to talk about life, the universe and everything, including being from Barry,'' she told BBC Walescast. She said that during her time in office she experienced many incidents of sexism and misogyny. ''I had expected a wave [of sexism] around me being the first female leader. ''I assumed, though, that that wave would break, that it would become normalised... and it would go back to politics as usual. ''So, I was taken aback by the fact that it never broke. If anything, the amplitude of the wave just got higher and higher.'' It was not until a speech she made in October 2012, that she felt able to lay out her experiences of sexism as a female politician. The speech, which called out the leader of the opposition for sexist comments about the prime minister, was shared around the world and seen by millions of people. But Gillard said she regretted not speaking out sooner and would advise any female leader today to "call it out" immediately. She believes it is important for people in a position of power to share their own experiences of prejudice. "Unless we call things out, unless we shine a light on them, human behaviour doesn't change," she said. Gillard said things have changed for a better in a lot of ways when it comes to gender equality, but social media has created a "toxic sewer for women". ''I think we have been having a far more robust and open debate about gender equality, particularly about sexual harassment," she said. She backed social media regulation as one way of helping to deal with this problem. Australia is set to ban children under 16 from using social media this year after its parliament approved the world's strictest laws. Gillard said social media could also have "huge benefits" but she was "extremely pro-regulation". "In the face of something that is mixed, good and bad, we regulate to try and get the bad out of the system." Welsh roots key to ex-PM's politics 'Grey suits are out' - The story of Wales' new first minister
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
Huge rise in waiting times leaving children across Wales without care they need
Huge rise in waiting times leaving children across Wales without care they need A report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health says ealy intervention for children is being overlooked while the focus is on long waits for adults A "dramatic rise in waiting times" is leaving children across Wales without the community care they need and affecting other services, including education and hospitals, senior doctors are warning. A report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Wales , published on Tuesday, warns early intervention for children is being overlooked while the focus is on long waits for adults. The report shows that waiting times for community services for children have doubled in many health board areas and are now "out of control". These gaps have "serious consequences" from poor school readiness to long-term health issues, the college said. The report, titles Collaborative Healthcare in Wales: Delivering the Services Children Need in the Community, highlights waiting list data for each Welsh health board. Community child health services provide care for children in their communities rather than hospitals and also include areas such as mental health and additional learning needs. Staff include paediatricians, health visitors, continence nurses, dieticians, speech and language therapists, and psychologists. They assess safeguarding and help support children with complex medical needs. They work in clinics, schools, and community hubs with a focus on long-term care. Article continues below Teachers have reported some children arriving at school still in nappies as well as unable to do things like use cutlery or tie laces and not having "met milestones" and you can read more about that here The waits for paedeatric community services in each health board in Wales Data obtained by the RCPCH under freedom of information laws between March and May this year reveals the times children wait for these services are soaring as well as numbers of those waiting. Aneurin Bevan: The number of children waiting for a community paediatric service increased by 117% from 150 in 2015 to 326 by 2024. The biggest increases occurred in speech and language therapy rising from 271 to 585 (a 115% increase) and paediatric dietetic services rising from 102 to 368 (a 260% increase). The number of children and young people seeking an autism or ADHD assessment rose by 166% (1,038 to 2,765) between 2020 and 2024. However the number referred for an assessment declined by 12% from 466 to 406. The number of children waiting for a community paediatric service increased by 117% from 150 in 2015 to 326 by 2024. The biggest increases occurred in speech and language therapy rising from 271 to 585 (a 115% increase) and paediatric dietetic services rising from 102 to 368 (a 260% increase). The number of children and young people seeking an autism or ADHD assessment rose by 166% (1,038 to 2,765) between 2020 and 2024. However the number referred for an assessment declined by 12% from 466 to 406. Betsi Cadwaladwr: The number of children waiting for community paediatric services increased from 805 in 2018 to 8,986 in 2025, marking a 1016% increase. Numbers of children waiting for a neurodevelopmental assessment increased from 2,739 in 2022 to 6,774 as of January 2025, which is a 147% rise. The number of children waiting for community paediatric services increased from 805 in 2018 to 8,986 in 2025, marking a 1016% increase. Numbers of children waiting for a neurodevelopmental assessment increased from 2,739 in 2022 to 6,774 as of January 2025, which is a 147% rise. Cardiff and Vale: The number of children waiting for a community paediatric service has risen 302% since 2018 from 1,239 to 4,990. The number of community paediatricians fell 8% during this time. In comparison the number on community paediatrics waiting lists has grown three times, rising from 1,239 (2018) to 4,990 (2025) – the equivalent of a 302% increase. The number of children waiting for a community paediatric service has risen 302% since 2018 from 1,239 to 4,990. The number of community paediatricians fell 8% during this time. In comparison the number on community paediatrics waiting lists has grown three times, rising from 1,239 (2018) to 4,990 (2025) – the equivalent of a 302% increase. Cwm Taf: The number of children waiting for a community paediatric service fell from 141 (2023) to 135 (2025). The number of under-18s waiting for neurodevelopmental services rose from 2,173 in 2023 to 3,391 by January 1, 2025 – a rise of 56%. The average wait for neurodiversity services as of December 31, 2024, was 105 weeks. The average wait for community paediatrics (complex medical needs) decreased from 84 weeks (2023) to 51 weeks (2024). The number of children waiting for a community paediatric service fell from 141 (2023) to 135 (2025). The number of under-18s waiting for neurodevelopmental services rose from 2,173 in 2023 to 3,391 by January 1, 2025 – a rise of 56%. The average wait for neurodiversity services as of December 31, 2024, was 105 weeks. The average wait for community paediatrics (complex medical needs) decreased from 84 weeks (2023) to 51 weeks (2024). Hywel Dda: The number of children waiting for community paediatric services went up by 4.1% between 2018 and 2025, rising from 1,477 to 1,538. The number waiting for an autism spectrum disorder assessment has risen by 781% since 2018 and the number waiting for an ADHD assessment has risen by 331% since 2018 – an increase from 343 in 2018 to 3,025 in 2024. The number of children waiting for an ADHD assessment has increased by 331% from 172 in 2018 to 743 in number of community paediatricians has increased by 7.6% between 2018 to 2024. The number of children waiting for community paediatric services went up by 4.1% between 2018 and 2025, rising from 1,477 to 1,538. The number waiting for an autism spectrum disorder assessment has risen by 781% since 2018 and the number waiting for an ADHD assessment has risen by 331% since 2018 – an increase from 343 in 2018 to 3,025 in 2024. The number of children waiting for an ADHD assessment has increased by 331% from 172 in 2018 to 743 in number of community paediatricians has increased by 7.6% between 2018 to 2024. Powys: The health board employs three community paediatricians and has 119 children waiting for community paediatric services and 1,109 for neurodevelopmental services – a rise of 112% between 2022 and this year. The health board employs three community paediatricians and has 119 children waiting for community paediatric services and 1,109 for neurodevelopmental services – a rise of 112% between 2022 and this year. Swansea: The number of children waiting for a community paediatric service has increased by 112% since 2020, jumping from 597 to 1,271. The average number of weeks waiting has increased from 36 to 80. The figures are not comparable and should not be totalled as an overall waiting list figure for Wales. This is because the figures given by health boards under FOI "lack uniformity and at times are inconsistent or incomplete", the college said. Instead the report uses the data to "spotlight" community paediatric service waits for each health board. The report says these delays have an impact beyond health and often affect children's social development and school attendance as well as their future economic contribution and requirements from adult NHS services. Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. One doctor said: "The long waiting times even for initial assessments and longer for diagnosis are having a significant impact. Resources are being spent on diagnostics but not much resources are going into support services after diagnosis." Paediatricians said the situation is unsustainable. The RCPCH is demanding that the Welsh Government "delivers its long-standing ambition of care closer to home" by putting the money needed into early years support and ensuring adequate staffing across community paediatrics, speech and language therapy, and mental health. RCPCH officer for Wales, Dr Nick Wilkinson, said: "Children and young people are too often overlooked with services focused on adult pressures. "Despite the Welsh Government's aim to deliver care closer to home community child health remains underfunded with too few health visitors, continence nurses, and speech and language therapists. "These gaps have serious consequences, from poor school-readiness to long-term health issues, and we're seeing the impact of this on all our services "Early intervention is vital yet growing waiting lists and delays are leaving children without the timely care they need. The Welsh Government must act now to prioritise and invest in children's services – before more young lives are impacted." Children's Commissioner for Wales Rocio Cifuentes said the importance of early intervention in children's health could not be overstated. Failing to act in time left children at risk of their health problems worsening and going on into adulthood as well as putting more pressure on public services, he warned. Dr Lizzy Nickerson, chair of the Wales Community Child Health Network and consultant community paediatrician, said the report exposed "the part of the iceberg that has been ignored for too long". She said political priorities must now be on the long-term consequences of neglecting children with neurodivergence and complex needs. "For so long we have heard how parents and carers are struggling and this is very evident in the long waiting lists, increased safeguarding concerns, and the rising need for community paediatric services," Dr Nickerson said. "These children are tomorrow's adults and without the investment into their needs and the workforce who cares for them the socioeconomic future is bleak." The college's report makes recommendations to the Welsh Government including increasing the number of training and consultant places for community paediatricians and increasing training places for the wider child health workforce. A Welsh Government spokesman said: 'We take improving children's health seriously. Article continues below "We've invested £50m to help health boards tackle waiting times and have seen great improvements in speech and language therapy and children's mental health waits over the last 12 months. 'We're currently investing £294m into health professional education and training in Wales and we continue to work with health boards to ensure that children are supported to have the best healthy start to life.'
South Wales Argus
04-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Aneurin Bevan Health Board annual cancer report 2025
Health boards in Wales have a target that at least 75 per cent of patients with suspected cancer are seen, diagnosed, and treated within 62 days. Constraints in the system however mean the country's six health boards are working towards a 70 per cent target. Leanne Watkins, the chief operating officer for the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, told its May meeting its performance against the single cancer pathway at the end of March was 67.5 per cent. She said: 'It is our best performance by some way but there are a lot of other indicators that sit behind that and support delivery and show how committed our teams are.' The officer presented the board's annual cancer report at the May meeting while she said its latest briefing for the Welsh Government, which hasn't formed part of the report, is the average wait for a first outpatient appointment for an urgent suspected cancer is 11.9 days. She said: 'I think the target in England is 14 days so we are doing exceptionally well.' Chief executive Nicola Prygodzicz said there had been a massive increase in the number of people seen with suspected cancers in Gwent since 2019 when 29,000 people were referred for a suspected cancer. That figure increased to 43,064 in 2024 but of those only 4,995 were diagnosed with cancer which is 11.6 per cent. Ms Prygodsicz acknowledged 'the horrendous' wait of any length for confirmation but said: '38,000 people thought they had cancer and they didn't.' For many cancers national guidance is that boards reach a diagnosis and inform patients within 28 days, but the report hasn't specified Aneurin Bevan's performance against this measure. At the board meeting it was also stated patients should be encouraged to take a potential diagnosis seriously straight away rather than putting off test for holidays or other reasons. Independent board member Penny Jones urged it to share 'the good news' about cancer treatment. She said: 'Cancer is frightening. Let people know about the progress as people think 'I'll not go to the doctors, it's death'. It isn't any more in every aspect. Put the good news out there.' The report shows 58.6 per cent of people survive their cancer for five years or more across the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area, however in the most deprived areas that figure drops to just 18 per cent. Though cancer accounted for a quarter of all deaths in Wales, in 2022, four in 10 cancers diagnosed annually in Wales could be prevented. The most common cause of cancer in Gwent, in 2023/24, was skin cancers including malignant melanoma with 993 cases, followed by 658 breast cancer cases, 526 colorectal cancers and 406 prostate cancers. READ MORE: New £38 million radiotherapy unit to open at Nevill Hall The health board is slightly above Welsh average uptake for breast, bowel and cervical cancer screenings but there is a 15 per cent difference in uptake for all screening programmes between the most and least deprived citzens. Ms Watkins said the board has to have the 'right messaging to encourage people to come forward' and said there is also a need for 'simplistic language' as she said the average reading age in Gwent is 12. 'We need to be pretty stark in terms of messaging so people can make the best choice for them.' She gave the example that giving up smoking can extend the life of someone diagnosed with lung cancer by two years.
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Sepsis: Newport mum wants better diagnosing by NHS
The mum of a nine-year-old boy who died after developing sepsis has said the NHS needs to change to stop others dying. Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection and happens when a person's immune system overreacts and starts to damage the body's own tissues and organs, according to the Cope, from Newport, was taken to the Grange Hospital in Cwmbran, Torfaen, in December 2022 with suspected appendicitis, but was wrongfully discharged with flu before dying of septic shock, an inquest in May 2024 found. His mum Corinne Cope has been working with the Aneurin Bevan health board to implement a standardised scoring system to help diagnosis. A coroner found that Dylan's death "would have been avoided if he had not been erroneously discharged" and said what happened was "a gross failure of basic care".The senior doctor on shift on the night of Dylan's visit said GP referrals were not being printed off and put into patients' notes because the department was "well over capacity".It meant emergency doctors and nurses did not know that Dylan's GP had written "query appendicitis" and sent him home with a coughs and colds advice was readmitted to hospital on 10 December and died four days later with multi-organ disfunction caused by a perforated Cope told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that after her son's death she discovered "thousands of people are affected by sepsis, either have disabilities or lose their life, and it often - not always - can be prevented".She said UK Sepsis Trust told her about sepsis diagnosis pilots in England and she discovered Wales was "a little bit behind". The Aneurin Bevan health board agreed to her proposal to work with the UK Sepsis Trust using the National Early Warning Score 2 method. This allocates a number to pulse rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen levels, temperature and conscious level, which helps doctors to identify possible sepsis. Ms Cope said losing her son was "searingly painful every day".She added: "I just want to do what I can and continue this good work with Aneurin Bevan, but [they are] one health board out of seven so my aim is to continue working with them and the UK Sepsis Trust to ensure this approach is monitored, maintained and measured."
