Tag: 2023

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 27 January 2023.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan has today announced more than £86 million for new cancer treatment facilities, equipment, and software.

The investment is part of a long-term programme in southeast Wales to transform how cancer services are delivered. It marks a major milestone in transforming cancer treatment across the region and brings care closer to patients’ homes.

More than £48 million is being invested in state-of-the-art radiotherapy equipment, replacing the linear accelerator fleet located at Velindre Cancer Centre. Eight of these machines will be replaced at the centre in Whitchurch, Cardiff – and two more will be housed at a brand new radiotherapy centre at Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny between now and 2025.

This will ensure radiotherapy services have reliable equipment, can provide the latest techniques, and have two additional machines to meet the growing demand for cancer treatment.

The new £38 million Radiotherapy ‘Satellite’ Centre at Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny will be open by 2024 to improve access to radiotherapy for people living in the north and east of catchment area of Velindre Cancer Centre.

The combined investment will provide new and improved treatment for cancer patients, deliver safe radiotherapy services, and improve the capacity and efficiency of the service – by delivering quicker and more targeted treatment.

The investment will also provide modernised cancer treatment planning software, the associated digital hardware and building refurbishments.

Once the wider programme is completed, southeast Wales will benefit from a new Velindre Cancer Centre, an additional Radiotherapy Satellite Centre, a new fleet of radiotherapy machines, and the latest software to plan and deliver radiotherapy.

This work is progressing in line with the development of the wider networked clinical model of non-surgical cancer care, which includes the development of integrated acute oncology services at district general hospitals throughout the region.

Visiting the Velindre Cancer Centre, Minister for Health and Social Services said:

The opening of a satellite radiotherapy centre in southeast Wales and our recapitalisation of radiotherapy equipment demonstrates our commitment to making significant investments in improving cancer services and outcomes in Wales.

The new satellite model will improve access to radiotherapy, servicing many of our most socio-economically disadvantaged communities along the heads of the valleys and northern Gwent.

This builds on recent investments in the development of the new Velindre Cancer Centre and similar investments in radiotherapy, treatment planning and diagnostic equipment in our southwest and north Wales cancer treatment centres.

This is part of our longer-term approach of ensuring people are able to access recommended radiotherapy techniques within cancer waiting time targets and professional access standards.

Chief Executive of Velindre University NHS Trust Steve Ham said:

Our new fleet of radiotherapy machines will be among the best in Europe and will deliver state-of-the-art treatment to cancer patients in South-East Wales and beyond. We are grateful to the Welsh Government for their investment and look forward to working with our partners to build better cancer services for generations to come. Our staff and patients are at the heart of our service development and we are extremely grateful for the dedication they continue to demonstrate to improving patient outcomes whilst delivering first-class care today.

Alongside the development of the new Velindre Cancer Centre, this will allow us to keep pace with increasing demand as the number of people referred to us with cancer grows every year.

Nicola Prygodzicz, Chief Executive of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said:

We’re delighted that this fantastic new facility has been approved and we are looking forward to seeing it take shape. It’s a really exciting new development for the Nevill Hall Hospital site, which will bring specialist cancer services closer to home for the residents of Gwent.

Laurent Amiel, President, Radiation Oncology Solutions Europe Middle East Africa (EMEA) at Varian, said:

Varian is proud to collaborate with global leaders and governments as we work to extend our patient reach and advance our mission to create a world without fear of cancer. We look forward to this opportunity to expand access to advanced cancer care to patients across south Wales.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 26 January 2023.

Julie Morgan, the Deputy Minister for Social Services has made a personal apology for the suffering of those affected by the historical practice of forced adoption in the 1950, 60s and 70s.

Speaking at the Big Adoption Conversation event Julie Morgan said:

Adoption has undergone some major reforms over the past 40 years, to put children at the forefront of decisions. The views of adopters and adopted children and young people are vital in helping us develop our policy, practices and legislation.

Whilst forced adoption practices predate devolution in Wales, they have a lasting legacy on all those who experienced them – for both the parents and the children. I want to put on record my profound sympathy to all those who have been affected by historic forced adoption.

We cannot change what has happened, but I can provide assurances that adoption legislation and practices have been significantly strengthened since and we will strive to provide as much support as we can.

To all the victims, I would like to convey my deepest sympathy and regret that due to society failing you, you had to endure such appalling historical practices. For this I am truly sorry.

The personal apology comes after the Joint Committee on Human Rights published its recommendations following an inquiry to understand the experiences of unmarried women whose children were adopted between 1949 and 1976 in England and Wales.

Julie Morgan continued:

I welcome the inquiry’s recommendations, which Welsh Government and the National Adoption Service are carefully considering to see what improvements can be made in Wales.

I encourage anyone affected by forced adoption to contact The National Adoption Service which will be able to signpost individuals to other services including peer-support and advocacy groups, Welsh Government funded post-adoption support services, and other long-standing non-government service providers.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 26 January 2023.

Advanced Paramedics Practitioners (APP) across Wales are helping to treat more people in the community and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.

Data from the Welsh Ambulance Service shows that up to 70% fewer people needed to be taken to emergency departments when responded to by an Advanced Paramedic Practitioner, compared to traditional crews.

Providing a link between primary and secondary care, APPs are paramedics who also care for patients in a primary care setting through a rotational working model and are based in General Practitioner surgeries, Community care centres and on the road in Rapid Response Vehicles in the community. They have undertaken rigorous additional education to respond to 999 calls, make advanced clinical decisions, undertake medicine reviews and in some cases prescribe medication.

Common calls attended by APPs include chest pains and breathing difficulties. If an advanced assessment determines that there no clinical need for the patient to be taken to the emergency department, an APP can provide immediate treatments, working with primary care or alternative pathways to undertake, medicine reviews, social care, mental health support and other interventions.

Following a review of their role in 2017, work is underway to build on the success of the rotational model. In several Health Boards APPs are as ‘navigators’ within the integrated urgent care centres, where they provide remote consultation to 999 callers, directing them to alternative appropriate services to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.

Increasing the number of APPs is part of the Welsh Government’s Rehabilitation Framework commitment for rehabilitation services to deliver support and care closer to home. By keeping people who have suffered a fall, are frail or who have an acute or urgent requirement for rehabilitation services out of hospital, the chance of a positive patient outcome is increased. By referring patients to rehabilitation specialists, including physiotherapists for treatment, problems such as muscle wastage which can be triggered by a hospital admission can be avoided.

The Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan said:

Advanced Paramedic Practitioners are just one way we are ensuring people receive the right care, in the right place, first time and as close to home as possible. Early intervention can avoid unnecessary hospital admissions for our already overstretched emergency departments and help keep people in their homes.

This enhanced role allows paramedics to work across the whole health and care system rather than being restricted to traditional ambulance crew roles. They provide advanced life support, make emergency treatment decisions, and assess and signpost patients to the right part of the health system to deliver the care they need. Identifying peoples’ needs at first contact and ensuring appropriate care is accessed avoids duplication and provides a person-centred approach to maximise health outcomes and support people to stay and live well.

Andy Swinburn, Director of Paramedicine at the Welsh Ambulance Services Trust said:

WAST has worked hard to increase its ability to manage more patients closer to home. The changes in patient presentations we see within the 999 system illustrates that for many of our patients conveyance to the Emergency Department is not always the best option. Working with our Commissioners, Health Education and Improvement Wales and Welsh Government, has allowed us to grow our APPs numbers to ensure more patients can benefit from their skills. Our aspiration is to continue this growth and ensure we maximise the benefits of this key clinical role.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 26 January 2023.

First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced the Welsh Government will be funding up to 140 medical student placements each year at the new north Wales medical school.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 25 January 2023.

Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has congratulated Ferrari’s Coffee in Bridgend after the company secured a new contract which will see their products available in the USA and Canada.

The Minister visited their facilities and heard how Welsh Government support has helped the company secure a significant deal to supply three of its products to a major retailer across the Atlantic.

The news comes as the Welsh Government recently announced exports by businesses in Wales have recovered beyond pre-pandemic levels. The Welsh Government remains steadfast in its ambition to drive further growth in Welsh exports.

Ferrari’s secured their deal at SIAL Paris, one of the world’s largest food innovation exhibitions in Paris in October. Attending as part of the Welsh Government Pavilion, Ferrari’s Coffee were amongst the Welsh producers taking the opportunity to meet with buyers and distributors from across the globe looking to secure new business opportunities.

One of the products making its way to the USA and Canada is the ‘Piacentia’ which is the company’s original recipe and has stayed the same for nearly 90 years. The other two products are the ‘Siena’ and ‘Mocha Italia’ coffee beans.

Yash Dhutia, Managing Director of Ferrari’s Coffee said:

We’re thrilled to receive this overseas contract to supply our coffee in the USA and Canada after meeting with a buyer from a major retailer at SIAL.

It’s a huge boost of confidence for us as a company and we are grateful to the Welsh Government for their support. In reality, we wouldn’t have attended the event without their assistance.

Yash Dhutia, along with his wife and children moved to Wales and bought Ferrari’s Coffee in August 2018, but have kept the same sourcing and roasting traditions set out by the company’s original founder Vittorio Ferrari. The company has been hand-roasting coffee in Wales since 1927.

At SIAL, they showcased their new 100% recycled packaging and new recyclable bags. Ferrari’s also have a direct trade agreement with farmers in Uganda who are an important part of the Mbale Tree planting Programme, supported by the Welsh Government, which hopes to plant 25 million trees by 2025.

Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths said:

This is a great achievement for Ferrari’s Coffee and I am delighted the Welsh Government’s Food and Drink International Trade Programme has been able to support them.

We all know the quality of food and drink produced by Welsh businesses is up there with the best in the world and we need to ensure it is rightly recognised.

Securing new export markets, as well as maintaining and building on current ones, is crucial for the future of the Welsh food and drink industry.

I am proud to support our Welsh food and drink producers at our global events which reaffirms our commitment to raising our international profile and supporting our businesses.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 25 January 2023.

Wales is set to become the first UK nation to introduce a mandatory national licensing scheme for tattoo artists and those working in body piercing, semi-permanent make-up, acupuncture and electrolysis, Chief Medical Officer Frank Atherton has announced.

The scheme aims to reduce infections, eliminate poor working practices and will create a central public register for licensed practitioners and approved business premises.

It is the final phase of changes introduced under the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 to improve standards of infection prevention and control in the industry.

There are an estimated 3,516 practitioners operating in Wales who will need to be licensed, and 1,868 premises that will require approval under the new mandatory licensing scheme. The pass rate for those practitioners who have so far voluntarily already undertaken the Level 2 Award in Infection Prevention and Control is 95%.

A 12-week consultation has been launched to seek the views of all stakeholders, including practitioners, local authorities and the public.

Chief Medical Officer Frank Atherton said:

Good standards of hygiene and infection control by all special procedures practitioners and businesses is essential as these procedures are capable of causing harm if not carried out properly.

This new compulsory licensing scheme will ensure that both clients and practitioners are adequately protected at all times. I am very pleased that these impending changes have been widely welcomed by practitioners in Wales, with many already volunteering to meet the new standards.

We are keen to receive responses to the consultation from all stakeholders, but particularly from self-employed practitioners and those working as small businesses.

Tattooist Ash Davies, of Stronghold Tattoo, in Charles Street, Cardiff, has been part of the Welsh Government’s practitioner engagement group since 2018, and has passed the Level 2 Award.

He said:

It is fantastic that Wales will be the first UK nation to introduce a national licensing scheme for our sector.

We fully recognise and welcome the work Welsh Government has put in to develop this mandatory scheme to regulate industry practices, and its development of a bespoke regulated infection prevention and control qualification. This will raise standards and should be embraced.

Ffion Hughes, a permanent makeup and paramedical tattooist based at Little Wren Beauty & Aesthetics, in Pool Street, Caernarfon, participated in the engagement conferences on the new scheme in 2019.

She said:

This mandatory scheme will provide a level playing field for reputable businesses in the industry.

The Welsh Government has continued to engage with us throughout the development of this legislation and it is great to see our feedback has been considered and used to inform the consultation.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 24 January 2023.

A service providing mental health and wellbeing support for teachers and education staff has been awarded over £600k, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language Jeremy Miles has announced.

The funding will see the School Wellbeing Service run by Education Support extended and will increases the reach and depth of the programme.

Education Support is the only UK charity with expertise in supporting the mental health and well-being of the education workforce.

The School Wellbeing Service provides free advice and support for schools across Wales with a focus on staff wellbeing.

Wellbeing Advisors work with schools to provide resources and advice on policies, practices and strategies that support staff mental health and wellbeing.

The £600,000 additional funding announced today will increase the amount of wellbeing advisors who will be able to support schools to transform their school cultures and improve staff wellbeing. The new advisors have already been recruited with the expanded programme due to launch on January 30^th. Development of tailored support for Teaching Assistants has also been commissioned.

The programmes offers two strands of support.

• Access to a ‘School Advisory Service’ which gives schools access to open, honest and non-judgemental conversations about how to make improvements, backed up by actionable advice and support.

• And the ‘Wellbeing Support and Development service’ which provides in-depth development opportunities to keep staff feeling motivated, engaged and effective in their roles.

Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, said:

I am proud that in Wales we are leading the way with our Whole School Approach to mental health and wellbeing. Learning about mental health and emotional well-being is now a mandatory part of the Curriculum for Wales for all schools.

The emotional well-being of the education workforce is also vital and we plan to increase this support year-on-year until 2025.

The School Wellbeing Services will play a huge role in supporting the workforce and I’m delighted that Education Support will once more deliver this fantastic programme. Many schools have already benefited from the service and I would encourage all schools to find out how the expanded programme can help them.

Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Lynne Neagle, said:

The School Wellbeing Service is providing support tailored to the needs of our education workforce to help them access support more easily, should they need it.

Our Whole School Approach is just that – making sure everyone in school is supported, including learners and staff too. I am very pleased to see the programme being extended to even more schools, so even more people can benefit.

Faye McGuinness, Director of Programmes, Education Support:

Teachers, leaders and school staff play a vital role in shaping the lives of children and young people, and good mental and emotional health is central to their ability to do their jobs effectively.

It’s in everyone’s interest – pupils’, parents’ and the entire Welsh nation – that educators in Wales are mentally and emotionally well enough to guide and inspire the next generation.

For staff mental health to thrive, school cultures must actively prioritise it. For staff to feel motivated and engaged, they must continue to develop their expertise and passion for their role. That’s why we’re delighted to expand these services to reach even more school staff with development opportunities, alongside our existing Schools Advisory Service, thanks to funding from Welsh Government.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 24 January 2023.

Finance Minister, Rebecca Evans, visited Centerprise International’s new £6m IT operations centre yesterday which will bring 70 new jobs to the area.

The IT provider’s 17-acre site in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly was opened in October following a £6 million investment supported by Welsh Government. The company aims to generate a minimum of 70 new jobs in the region, ranging from PC building to cloud services. Many of the new jobs will be apprenticeships, working in collaboration with technical colleges in the surrounding area.

The new development is a significant further investment in Wales for Centerprise and is an indication of its growing presence in the Welsh public sector, having twice secured a place on the Welsh Government IT Products and Services procurement framework. Most Welsh local authorities are now customers and all Welsh Government laptops are purchased through Centerprise international.

This new investment adds significant production capacity for building PCs and will be the centre for all technical operations. Cloud services and Esports are 2 other focus areas for the new site following the company’s growing success supplying high-end gaming PCs to football clubs and Esports arenas across the UK and Europe.

Minister for Finance and Local Government, Rebecca Evans, said:

Centerprise International’s decision to invest in this plant is great news for Wales. Bringing skilled engineering resources within easy reach of Welsh public sector customers will help us improve how we deliver essential services to the Welsh public.

The Welsh Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee aims to provide everyone under 25 in Wales with the offer of work, education, training, or self-employment. I’m delighted that this centre will support that commitment through the early career apprenticeships that will be offered in collaboration with local technical colleges.

CEO of Centerprise International, Jeremy Nash, said:

This new operations centre is the platform for Centerprise to enhance its active participation in making the IT industry more sustainable and to further its contribution to building a more prosperous Wales. We will use this investment to drive the circular economy and provide career opportunities in digital, data and technology for the current and future generations of Wales. This is another proud and immensely significant milestone in Centerprise’s journey.