Health in Wales News

Minister welcomes healthy eating labelling consultation

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:08:03 GMT

Health Minister Lesley Griffiths today welcomed a UK-wide consultation aimed at making it easier for consumers to make healthy food choices.

Lowering stroke rates in Wales

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:31:57 GMT

A new plan to ensure stroke rates in Wales are among the lowest in Europe by 2016 has been published for public consultation by the Welsh Government.

Expansion of project to support people with substance misuse issues

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:30:23 GMT

A project to support people with substance misuse issues to become economically independent has been given a boost by the Welsh Government.

Services in Wales come 'Together for Mental Health'

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:51:10 GMT

Health Minister Lesley Griffiths has launched Together for Mental Health, the Welsh Government’s strategic approach to mental health and mental wellbeing.

NHS Wales Informatics Service - Service Guide Published

Mon, 14 May 2012 14:31:18 GMT

Outlining the services provided to NHS Wales, the NWIS Service Guide has now been published.

Public Health Wales marks International Nurses' Day

Fri, 11 May 2012 13:06:35 GMT

Public Health Wales is marking International Nurses’ Day by highlighting the work of some of its staff.

New Data Dictionary published

Thu, 10 May 2012 14:14:00 GMT

A new version of the NHS Wales Data Dictionary has been released and is helping developers design systems that comply with national standards.

Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) today publishes its report following a Survey of Healthcare for the Armed Forces Community in Wales

Wed, 09 May 2012 13:57:52 GMT

Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) has today published a report on ‘Healthcare and the Armed Forces community in Wales.’

Results of healthcare associated infections survey published

Tue, 08 May 2012 13:59:28 GMT

Public Health Wales has published the Welsh results of a European study to collect data on healthcare associated infections, the use of medical devices and antimicrobial usage in hospitals.

Case of cryptosporidiosis investigated in Cardiff school

Fri, 04 May 2012 16:00:05 GMT

Public Health Wales and Environmental Health Officers from Cardiff County Council are investigating several cases of diarrhoeal illness in sixth formers from The Bishop of Llandaff Church in Wales High School, Cardiff.

"Remarkable achievement": NHS Wales breaks-even

Thu, 03 May 2012 15:36:47 GMT

Health Minister Lesley Griffiths has congratulated Local Health Boards across Wales on meeting financial targets for 2011-12. The Minister thanked managers for what she called a “remarkable achievement” given the financial challenges facing NHS Wales.

NHS Wales Data Dictionary v4.0

Thu, 03 May 2012 10:41:32 GMT

A new version of the NHS Wales Data Dictionary has been released and is helping developers design systems that comply with national standards.

Rugby star tackles embarrassment of bowel screening!

Wed, 02 May 2012 15:44:32 GMT

Rugby star, Phil Bennett is hoping to kick bowel cancer into touch, after promoting Bowel Screening Wales on ITV this week.

Plan for liver health in prisons launched

Tue, 01 May 2012 14:10:36 GMT

Public Health Wales has launched a service delivery plan to support Welsh prisons in improving liver health for prisoners.

Childhood vaccines highlighted during European Immunizations Week

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:00:34 GMT

Public Health Wales is highlighting the importance of childhood vaccinations during European Immunization Week 2012.

Funding announced for autism

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:01:35 GMT

Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services, has announced a funding package of £2m for 2012-13 to support children and adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) across Wales.

Find out what e-health means for NHS Wales

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:08:24 GMT

A new definition for ehealth was launched through a video animation in conjunction with the NHS Wales Informatics Service Research Laboratories phase two opening event this week.

Investment in NHS buildings boosts Welsh economy by £1.1 billion

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:33:17 GMT

Investments in hospital buildings over the last six years have boosted the Welsh economy by hundreds of millions of pounds.

Measles cases in Gwynedd continue to rise

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:03:23 GMT

Parents across North Wales are being urged to ensure that their children are up to date with both doses of their MMR vaccination following an increase of cases of measles across Gwynedd.

Update on outbreak of cryptosporidiosis associated with Cwmbran farm

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:54:55 GMT

A further four people have been clinically diagnosed with cryptosporidiosis and are linked to the outbreak associated with a farm in Cwmbran.

Purpose built laboratories "hotbed for innovation"

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:16:33 GMT

The Minister for Health and Social Services, Lesley Griffiths has officially opened new state of the art laboratories designed to keep the Welsh NHS in pace with technology.

Doctors recruitment campaign launched

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:52:57 GMT

The next phase of a campaign to attract clinicians from doctors in training to consultants to work in Wales was launched today by the Welsh Government.

New developments in Singleton Hospital

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:44:22 GMT

Singleton Hospital is to have £4.299 million for two new developments to improve the care facilities for children and for elderly patients.

Flu-like illness at Carmarthenshire residential home

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:10:36 GMT

Public Health Wales is investigating an outbreak of flu-like illness at a residential home in Carmarthenshire.

Health Minister reopens Llay Health Centre

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:19:06 GMT

Health Minister Lesley Griffiths joined local fundraisers to formally reopen Llay Health Centre in Wrexham.

New research on attitudes to organ donation in Wales

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:14:04 GMT

The Minister for Health and Social Services, Lesley Griffiths, has published the responses submitted during the consultation on the Organ Donation White Paper.

£108m improvements to Prince Charles Hospital

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:07:13 GMT

Health Minister Lesley Griffiths has given approval for Cwm Taf Health Board to proceed with the planning of a £108million scheme to refurbish the ground and first floor of Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil.

Consultation on tobacco plain packaging launched

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:01:55 GMT

A UK-wide consultation on whether tobacco should be sold in standardised, or plain packaging, has been launched.

Funding for lipreading tutors to improve life for deaf and hard of hearing people in Wales

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:56:39 GMT

Welsh Government funding to train lip reading tutors will help reduce social isolation for many of Wales’ deaf and hard of hearing people.

Wider determinants of health reports produced at small area level

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:52:23 GMT

The Public Health Wales Observatory has published small area reports for each of the seven health board areas which map a number of indicators relating to the wider determinants of health.

Flu outbreaks at Swansea nursing homes

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 09:24:34 GMT

Public Health Wales is investigating flu outbreaks at two nursing homes in Swansea.

TB screening in Rhondda Cynon Taf

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:45:11 GMT

A man from the Rhondda Cynon Taf area has been diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis He has been recovering at home and has not been admitted to hospital.

Courses restore confidence for those with chronic conditions

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:39:29 GMT

Starting on 16 April, all 708 pharmacies in Wales will be participating in a two week campaign to give patients with long term conditions the confidence and skills to manage their health.

Outbreak of cryptosporidium associated with Cwmbran farm

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:31:06 GMT

Public Health Wales and Torfaen County Borough Council with the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency are investigating an outbreak of cryptosporidium associated with a farm in Cwmbran.

Appointment and Re-Appointment of Board Members to Local Health Boards and NHS Trusts

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:26:18 GMT

Health Minister Lesley Griffiths has announced the appointment and re-appointment of board members to Local Health Boards and NHS Trusts as follows:

Appointment of new Commissioner for Older People

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:55:06 GMT

Following an open recruitment process, Sarah Rochira has been appointed as the new Older People's Commissioner for Wales for a four-year term.

Five years of free prescriptions "reduces the burden" in Wales

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:30:30 GMT

Healthcare professionals and charities have joined the Minister for Health and Social Services, Lesley Griffiths, in celebrating the fifth anniversary of free prescriptions in Wales.

Wales set to become the first country in the world to legislate for play

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:23:19 GMT

The Welsh Government believes strongly in the importance of play in children’s lives and the benefits it gives to their health, happiness and well-being and is taking a global lead on legislating for play opportunities for children.

Review of the Care & Safety of Patients Cared for at Cefn Coed Hospital

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:26:48 GMT

Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) today publishes its report following a review of the care and safety of patients cared for at Cefn Coed Hospital in Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board (ABMU).

Five smoke-free years for Welsh public places

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:41:05 GMT

This weekend (2 April) marks five years since Wales banned smoking in public places, protecting workers and the public from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

Update on outbreak of gastrointestinal illness, Lampeter

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:19:14 GMT

Investigations into an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness at a school in Lampeter have shown that norovirus is the most likely cause.

Awards for healthy workplaces across Wales

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:52:56 GMT

Employers from across Wales have been recognised with awards for their work to maintain and improve the health and well-being of their staff in the workplace.

Five smoke-free years for Welsh public places

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:03:59 GMT

This weekend (2 April) marks five years since Wales banned smoking in public places, protecting workers and the public from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

Access to GP surgeries is improving

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:06:31 GMT

Minister outlines delivery on Programme for Government commitment as new figures show increased access to GPs.

Be tick aware!

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:53:50 GMT

Public Health Wales is reminding people during Tick Bite Prevention Week (26 March – 1 April) to be aware of the risk of tick bites as very occasionally these can cause Lyme disease.

Improvements for Xray and scan image sharing

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 10:52:36 GMT

Patients are to benefit from investment in a single service that allows digital x-rays, scans and images to be transferred quickly and easily between NHS hospitals, saving NHS Wales up to £15 million, Health Minister Lesley Griffiths announced.

"Give Blood, Save Lives" urges Health Minister

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 10:12:04 GMT

The Minister for Health and Social Services, Lesley Griffiths, is urging everyone who is able to give blood to step up as we head towards the holiday period.

Families across Wales to benefit from support for substance misuse

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 10:06:53 GMT

Support for families who are affected by parental substance misuse will be expanded to all areas of Wales, Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services Gwenda Thomas has announced.

Improvements ahead for X-ray and scan image sharing in Welsh NHS

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 09:59:53 GMT

Outbreak of gastrointestinal illness, Lampeter

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:28:18 GMT

Public Health Wales and Ceredigion County Council are investigating an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness at a school in Lampeter.