Tag: Welsh Government

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.

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

Health Minister Eluned Morgan has today, 24th January, announced £5m to increase the number of allied health professionals (AHPs) and increase access to community-based care to help people remain active and independent.

Available from April 2023, the funding will increase the number of community-based AHPs and support workers in the NHS. They will help people stay independent and well at home, helping to prevent hospital admissions and they will also help people to be quickly discharged from hospital with the right support and rehabilitation in place to recover at home.

Allied health professions is a group of 13 professions, which include physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, dietitians and psychologists. Based in local community health teams, they provide preventative and early intervention services, alternatives to hospital admission and reduce the need for long-term social care.

Supporting people to recover at home with rehabilitation or spend less time in a hospital bed can have a considerable benefit on a people’s wellbeing, improve health outcomes and speed up recovery.

Examples of how AHPs can help people receive care and rehabilitation in the community include:

• The creation of virtual wards, which allow patients to receive the treatment they need at home safely and conveniently, rather than being in hospital, or expand the existing community resource teams which give GPs and paramedics alternatives to emergency departments.
• Treat people who have suffered a fall at home, if they do not need to go to hospital, and provide a programme of care and advice to reduce the likelihood of a further fall and rebuild their confidence and strength.
• Provide effective interventions to help people newly diagnosed with dementia to continue to live at home, support family carers and reduce the rate at which they may deteriorate.

Minister for Health and Social Services Eluned Morgan said:

The focus of health and social care in Wales is on strengthening community-based services. We want people to live at home, as independently as possible and for as long as possible.

We know that many people who are older and living with frailty or many health conditions can quickly deteriorate if they are inactive in bed for too long and, if they have been in hospital, when they leave they may be less mobile and less independent than when they were admitted. This funding will help us to help people return home as quickly as possible, with access to the right community assessment and rehabilitation, so they can remain active for as long as possible, living with their families and doing the things they enjoy most in their daily lives.

Currently, not enough people can access the expertise of AHPs to maximise their health and improve their recovery. This is why I am announcing £5m to improve access to these skilled professionals and services to provide alternatives to hospital admission and reduce reliance on long-term social care. By expanding what health services can be provided within the community it will help us to tackle some of the current pressures facing our health and care system.

Chief Allied Health Professions Adviser, Ruth Crowder said:

Demand for AHPs’ skills has risen since the pandemic, and people are presenting to services with more complex needs. AHPs excel in delivering treatments which are particularly valuable in supporting the complex, multi-dimensional needs of people who are frail or living with long term health conditions.

Without community AHP services, people may be admitted to hospital when they could have been treated at home, are unable to be discharged from hospital when their acute treatment is complete or end up moving to residential or nursing care earlier than might otherwise be the case, adding to other pressure on our social care services. Improving access to allied health professionals will bring a wider workforce together in a reformed primary care.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 23 January 2023.

Minister Julie James was today (Monday, January 23) invited to see building safety remediation works taking place in Cardiff after 11 major developers signed up to a new Welsh Government pact.

In November, the Minister announced details of the pact that represents a public commitment developers will address ‘fire safety issues in buildings of 11 metres and over that have been developed over the last 30 years’.

The Welsh Government Developers Pact, underpinned by formal legal documentation, has been shared with Builders Federation and developers are expected to accept the terms shortly.

Some developers, including Persimmon Homes and Bellway, have started work ahead of formally accepting the terms and the Minister was invited to see vital fire safety works carried out in Century Wharf.

Climate Change Minister Julie James said:

It was great to visit Century Wharf today to see first-hand the work that is already being carried out in Wales.

I have always made it clear that I do not expect leaseholders to bear the cost of repairing fire safety issues that are not of their making and that I expect developers to step up to their responsibilities.

I am very grateful to Persimmon for the invitation today, I am very pleased they have worked closely with the management company to carry out this work ahead of formally accepting the terms of the Pact and look forward to continuing this productive relationship.

Persimmon’s Regional Chairman, Liam Scott:

We were very pleased to welcome the Minister for Climate Change to see the action being undertaken at Century Wharf.

We made a commitment two years ago to pay for any necessary cladding and safety related remediation work on multi-storey buildings Persimmon constructed. We took this leadership position as we wanted to protect our customers and remove uncertainty for them.

We have worked closely with the management company overseeing the works, and will continue to do so as we fund the remediation programmes on such buildings in Wales.

Persimmon strongly supports the Welsh Government’s efforts to resolve the cladding and fire safety challenge as we believe it is not only fair for leaseholders in Wales, but also the right thing to do as one of the nation’s leading housebuilders.

We’ll continue to work constructively with the Minister for Climate Change and the Welsh Government as we support the completion of works as quickly as possible for leaseholders.

In a written statement published shortly after the visit, the Minister provided an update for those affected by fire safety issues who have struggled with mortgages.

We are making significant progress towards addressing this issue and giving the finance sector assurances they require,

she said.

At present, lenders operate on a case-by-case basis in Wales, and we are working closely with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and UK Finance Ltd to ensure the recent announcement for England will similarly be considered on properties in Wales.

The Minister also confirmed a change to the way the Leaseholder Support Scheme works.

Despite the positive moves made by developers, and other progress, I appreciate that these works will not come soon enough for some leaseholders who face financial hardship as a result of fire safety issues in their homes,

she said.

In June last year I launched the Leaseholder Support Scheme with a commitment that I would continue to review the eligibility criteria to ensure those in greatest need would benefit from the scheme.

Following the completion of a review I have instructed officials to amend the eligibility criteria of the scheme in two fundamental ways.

The first is to amend the assessment of financial hardship to take into account the rising cost of energy.

This is vital as it will increase recognition of those in significant financial hardship as a result of the recent increases to the energy price cap and will allow more people to access the scheme.

The second fundamental change is to remove the Displaced Residents clause.

Previously, to be eligible for the scheme, leaseholders had to either be residents, or be residents forced from their property due to changing circumstances.

By removing this criterion, the scheme is now opened to leaseholders who have purchased properties as an investment, such as pensioners, or those who have received the leasehold through an inheritance.

The support offered by this scheme will help more leaseholders in financial hardship receive the support they need.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 20 January 2023.

Wales will be introducing a Deposit Return Scheme by 2025, Climate Change Minister Julie James confirmed today.

The new initiative will see us pay a small deposit when we buy a drink in a single use container, which we get back when we return the bottle or can.

Wales is working with England and Northern Ireland to set up a joint scheme, meaning you can buy a drink in Barry and return it in Bristol or Belfast.

Scotland is setting up its own scheme, which starts later this year.

The announcement follows legislation to ban a number of single use plastics.

Climate Change Minister Julie James said:

This is another step forward in moving Wales to a more circular economy where less waste is generated, and resources are reused and recycled rather than ending up in landfill.

Consultation has shown huge public support for the scheme’s introduction, and we know people in Wales want to play their part in improving our already world-leading recycling rates.

Wales is the third best country in the world for recycling, but we know we can and need to go further in tackling the waste that affects our cities and towns and blights our countryside and reducing our emissions.

Every year UK consumers go through an estimated 14 billion plastic drinks bottles and nine billion drinks cans, many of which are littered or condemned to landfill.

International examples show deposit return schemes can successfully improve recycling, with rates above 90% in Germany, Finland and Norway.

Through the financial incentive provided to consumers to return their single- use drinks containers, it is estimated that, after three years of the scheme, 85% fewer drinks containers will be discarded as litter, with a target to collect over 90% of returnable drinks containers once the scheme is up and running.

The materials captured in the deposit return scheme in Wales will be drinks containers made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, steel, glass, and aluminium.