Public Health Wales: Latest News

Influenza activity in Wales: week 07 2012

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:37:50 GMT

The weekly clinical consultation rate for influenza in Wales for week 07 is 5.1 consultations per 100,000 population and has decreased compared to week 06 (9.4 consultations).

Sexual health in the over 50s a key discussion point at conference

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:55:55 GMT

The All Wales Sexual Health Network Annual Conference will take place at Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday, 22 February.

GP surveillance of infections in Wales report

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:13:43 GMT

Weekly newsletter which includes clinical consultations rates of 13 diseases, based on returns from 44 sentinel practices in Wales, and a topical news article. This week - Single-use Instrument Surveillance in Wales.

Outbreak of measles in Gwynedd update

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:31:31 GMT

Public Health Wales and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board are urging parents in Gwynedd to get their children vaccinated with MMR following an increase of measles cases associated with Ysgol Eifionydd School, Porthmadog, Gwynedd.

Healthy Schools Award at Gladstone Primary School

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:27:31 GMT

Rugby fever hit Gladstone Primary School in the run up to the Six Nations tournament when a sporting celebrity visited the school.

Public Health Wales to carry out development work on European database of Hepatitis B

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:30:53 GMT

Public Health Wales has been contracted by the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) to carryout development work on a proposed Hepatitis B (HBV) database for all of Europe.

Saving lives -- Success for suicide prevention skills training

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:05:56 GMT

New research from Public Health Wales shows that training given by Mind Cymru’s Positive Choices project is making a real difference to people’s willingness to discuss and tackle suicide and self harm.

Outbreak of measles in Gwynedd

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:14:28 GMT

Public Health Wales and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board are urging parents in Gwynedd to get their children vaccinated with the MMR vaccine following an increase of measles cases associated with Ysgol Eifionydd School, Porthmadog, Gwynedd.

Public Health Wales website statistics for January 2012 published

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:34:06 GMT

Data collected by Google Analytics on how visitors interacted with the Public Health Wales website during the first month of 2012 are now available.

Social media creates clever platform for spreading health messages

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:27:20 GMT

Sarah Hope, Principal Health Promotion Specialist with Powys Public Health Team, has returned from a Winston Churchill Travel Fellowship in British Columbia, the healthiest province in Canada, full of ideas that can be translated to enhancing health on her home turf.

Addaction, Adfam and Alcohol Concern: Working in sector partnership

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:53:57 GMT

'Children, Families and Substance Misuse Building Skills Capacity to Deliver Enhanced Family Outcomes – A Partnership Approach'

EuroHealthNet

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:32:35 GMT

‘Healthy and Active Ageing’

Alcohol and sex - a dangerous combination

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:54:08 GMT

The North Wales Public Health Team of Public Health Wales is using Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to highlight the impact of rising alcohol consumption on sexual health.

Framework for the evaluation of evidence.

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:36:31 GMT

The Framework for the evaluation of evidence has been updated.

Physios in Wales learn to use patients' stories to help improve services

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:59:02 GMT

1000 Lives Plus recently ran a two-day training course in using patient stories for physiotherapists from across Wales. The course was funded by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy’s Welsh Board.

Time to Change Wales

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:39:03 GMT

Following the success of ‘Time To Change’ in England, and based on robust evidence from similar campaigns in the USA, New Zealand and Scotland, Time To Change Wales (TTCW) is the first all Wales, comprehensive campaign to challenge the stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental heal

Local Welsh pharmacies provide vital service in deprived areas

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:15:37 GMT

Recent research by the Pharmaceutical Public Health Team reveals that within Wales community pharmacies are more likely to be located in areas of higher deprivation than areas of lower deprivation.

European Public Health Exchange

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:33:34 GMT

Public Health Wales is hosting the 2012 European Public Health Exchange meeting on 8-9 February 2012 at the Temple of Peace and Health, Cardiff.

News of improvements around Wales

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:52:16 GMT

The February issue of the 1000 Lives Plus e-Newsletter contains several stories of improvement work taking place around Wales.

Laboratory-confirmed infections and notifications reports

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:50:20 GMT

The Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre has published reports on rates of laboratory-confirmed infections and notifications of communicable diseases in Wales for the month of January 2012.

GP surveillance of infections in Wales report

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:46:00 GMT

Weekly newsletter which includes clinical consultations rates of 13 diseases, based on returns from 44 sentinel practices in Wales, and a topical news article. This week - Salmonella Newport

Trends of tuberculosis in Wales

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:08:01 GMT

A report of the latest annual trends from 2001-2010 in the cases of tuberculosis (TB) in Wales reported through the Enhanced Tuberculosis Surveillance system has been published.

Call for Abstracts - 12th International HIA Conference 2012

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:16:11 GMT

The scientific committee is seeking oral and poster presentations for the 12^th International Conference on Health Impact Assessment (HIA) to be held in Quebec, Canada from 29th-31st August 2012.

National outbreak of Salmonella Newport

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:25:16 GMT

Investigations are continuing into a recent increase in cases of Salmonella Newport infection across the UK.

Health Promotion Library moves to Public Health Wales

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:01:01 GMT

The Health Promotion Library will move from the Welsh Government to Public Health Wales on 1 April 2012.

Influenza activity in Wales: week 04 2012

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:02:15 GMT

The weekly clinical consultation rate for influenza in Wales for week 04 is 5.4 consultations per 100,000 population and hasslightly increased compared to week 03 (4.8 consultations).

Launch of Defra Ecosystems Knowledge Network

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:03:11 GMT

Defra have launched the Ecosystems Knowledge Network which is a resource for anyone wanting to share knowledge or learn about the practical benefits of an ecosystems approach.

Prevention and Promotion Programme Publishes Final Report

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:18:54 GMT

New web pages for the final report and recommendations of the National Prevention and Promotion Programme have been published.

Empowering staff to make changes that benefit patients

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:02:48 GMT

Nursing staff from across the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board have increased the amount of time they spend directly caring for patients through the Transforming Care programme.

Advice to pregnant women during the lambing season

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:54:16 GMT

Women who are, or who may be, pregnant should avoid close contact with animals that are giving birth.

Public Health Wales website statistics for December 2011 published

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:17:05 GMT

Data collected by Google Analytics on how visitors interacted with the Public Health Wales website during December 2011 are now available.

Ninth Welsh Immunisation Conference announced

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:11:56 GMT

Booking is now open for the ninth Welsh Immunisation Conference, organised by the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme of Public Health Wales.

Ensuring patients receive better, safer care closer to home

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:49:22 GMT

Patients will receive even better care in the community thanks to new improvements to be delivered by GPs as part of the 1000 Lives Plus national programme.

Early years focus for mental health conference

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:50:23 GMT

Delegates at the All Wales Mental Health Promotion Network annual conference will discuss the importance of early years development on mental health and wellbeing.

Cancer Incidence in Wales 2006-10 report published

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:57:54 GMT

The Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit (WCISU) has published cancer incidence figures in Wales for the diagnosis period from 2006 to 2010.

Cardiff to host annual UK IHI Open School Conference this March

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:15:10 GMT

1000 Lives Plus is teaming up with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Open School and the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement to host ‘Small Changes, Big Impact’ - the annual IHI Open School (UK) Conference, taking place in Cardiff on 23 -24 March.

Presentations now available from 'Sustainable Food From Farm to Fork to Farm'.

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:32:23 GMT

The report and presentations from the Healthy Communities Research Forum: Sustainable Food From Farm to Fork to Farm held on December 14 are now available to download.

Evaluation data collection tool

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:31:34 GMT

National Obesity Observatory has developed an on-line tool to assist with the collection of evaluation data from weight management, diet or physical activity interventions.

Healthy Living Programme for Cardiff Families -- now recruiting!

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:27:14 GMT

The Mind, Exercise, Nutrition...Do it! (MEND) programme is now recruiting children and families for its latest healthy lifestyle course.

Cwm Taf eye health equity report published

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:52:57 GMT

The Public Health Wales Observatory has published a profile on eye health equity in Cwm Taf.

Reproductive and Early Years Pathfinder progress report published

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:12:25 GMT

A report for the Reproductive and Early Years Pathfinder has been published which highlights the progress made during phase one of the programme.

1000 Lives Plus Faculty member awarded OBE for services to stroke medicine

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:20:31 GMT

Dr Anne Freeman, who advises 1000 Lives Plus improvements in stroke services, has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List. Anne was recognised for her contribution to stroke medicine and medical education in Wales.

The National Obesity Observatory online tool

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:55:05 GMT

The National Obesity Observatory has developed an online tool to assist with the collection of evaluation data from weight management, diet or physical activity interventions.

Successful first two years for Bowel Screening Wales

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:18:10 GMT

Bowel Screening Wales has published a report highlighting a successful first two years of screening.

The programme, part of the Public Health Wales Screening Division, began screening in October 2008 and has published data up to November 2010 showing a 55.2 per cent uptake rate.

New scoring system will save lives

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:41:34 GMT

The National Early Warning Score (NEWS) is a simple system that hospital staff can use to assess whether patients are developing potentially life-threatening illnesses. It is being introduced in hospitals throughout Wales as part of the national improvement programme, 1000 Lives Plus.

Articles on enhancing ventilation in homes of children with asthma published

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:12:59 GMT

The British Journal of General Practice has published two articles written by members of the North Wales Public Health Team, Wrexham County Borough Council, the Universities of Cardiff, Bangor and Liverpool, and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

Health Impact Assessment (HIA) Best Practice Sharing Workshop 24th February 2012

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:27:25 GMT

The Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit (WHIASU) will be holding the third annual All Wales HIA Network Event on February 24th in the vibrant city of Cardiff.

Smear campaign spreads across Wales

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:38:39 GMT

Cervical Screening Wales is joining forces with a leading Welsh cancer charity, in a bid to encourage women to attend for smear tests.

Public Health Wales is aware of increased reporting of viral gastroenteritis to health services.

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:11:59 GMT

Following a recent increase in the number of cases viral gastroenteritis, Public Health Wales is issuing a reminder that people suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting or individuals from households with people suffering from these symptoms should not visit patients in hospital.

Resources Available for South Asian Populations

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:54:42 GMT

Nutrition and Diet Resources have produced a new range of evidence-based nutritional information, which gives practical culturally sensitive dietary advice for South Asian populations.

Mind the Hunger Gap

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:29:43 GMT

The British Dietetic Association (BDA) recently launched a new national campaign called Mind the Hunger Gap. This will involve calling on dietitians in the UK to highlight that an estimated 1,000,000 older people in the UK are eating less than one square meal a day.

Laboratory-confirmed infections and notifications reports

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:56:24 GMT

The Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre has published reports on rates of laboratory-confirmed infections and notifications of communicable diseases in Wales for the month of December 2011.

BHFNC resources and training catalogue

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:22:45 GMT

This new resources and training catalogue outlines the publications produced by the BHFNC. The catalogue provides details of resources to assist practitioners and professionals who work with children and young people, older adults and in primary care. It also outlines details of research and evaluation projects undertaken by the BHFNC.

Influenza activity in Wales: week 52 2011

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:10:30 GMT

The weekly clinical consultation rate for influenza in Wales for week 52 is 7.8 consultations per 100,000 population and is stable compared to week 51 (7.8 consultations).

Five Nations Health Protection Conference call for papers opens

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:34:07 GMT

The call for papers is now open for this year’s Five Nations Health Protection Conference, which this year takes place in Ireland.

Stubbing out smoking in North Wales

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:25:41 GMT

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has launched its Smoke Free Policy which aims to create a smoke free environment for everyone who visits its properties in North Wales.

Influenza outbreaks in elderly care homes - guidance reminder

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:34:14 GMT

Although levels of influenza like illness in the community in Wales remain low (9.5/100,000 in week 51), the Health Protection Agency has reported three influenza A outbreaks in elderly care settings in England.

GP surveillance of infections in Wales report

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:31:44 GMT

Weekly newsletter which includes clinical consultations rates of 13 diseases, based on returns from 44 sentinel practices in Wales, and a topical news article. This week - More on Influenza.

Second Draft of All Wales C-Card Minimum Recommended Standards Published

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:52:02 GMT

The second draft of All Wales C-Card Minimum Recommended Standards has now been finalised and are available for comment.

Food safety at Christmas

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:34:21 GMT

The Food Standards Agency is reminding us about the importance of simple food hygiene during the festive period to avoid illness.

Wales first to adopt new cervical screening technology

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:24:43 GMT

Cervical Screening Wales will become the first screening programme in the UK to adopt new automated technology.

Health Communities Research Forum

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:58:25 GMT

The Healthy Communities Research Forum report and presentations are now available online.

Visit the website.

Successful first two years for Bowel Screening Wales

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:10:14 GMT

Bowel Screening Wales has published a report highlighting a successful first two years of screening.

CARIS Review 2011 published

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:08:38 GMT

CARIS, the Congenital Anomaly Register and Information Service for Wales, has published its 2011 annual review.

Annual review 2011

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:42:04 GMT

This year Annual reviews can be found at the link above

Statement on Wylfa

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:39:25 GMT

In response to an ITV Wales production of Y Byd ar Bedwar on nuclear power at Wylfa in Anglesey, Public Health Wales has issued a statement.

Healthcare achievement award for Public Health Wales staff

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:12:37 GMT

Two Public Health Wales staff have won awards for providing exceptional service to healthcare in Wales.

Public Health Wales website statistics for November 2011 published

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:25:08 GMT

Data collected by Google Analytics on how visitors interacted with the Public Health Wales website during November 2011 are now available.

Photos give patient's view point of NHS Wales

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:17:50 GMT

NHS staff across Wales took part in an international photo campaign called ‘One day in the life of a patient’ recently.

Photos give patient's view point of NHS Wales

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:11:31 GMT

NHS staff across Wales took part in an international photo campaign called ‘One day in the life of a patient’ recently.

Welcome to Programme Management Unit

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:10:28 GMT

The Programme Management Unit and its nine staff have been welcomed to Public Health Wales

Agenda and papers published for fifteenth Board meeting

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:24:23 GMT

The agenda and papers have been published for the fifteenth meeting of the Public Health Wales Board.

Large differences in healthy life expectancy in Wales found

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:28:27 GMT

Men in the least deprived communities of Wales can expect to live in good health for 19 years longer than those in more deprived parts of the country.

Laboratory-confirmed infections and notifications reports

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:18:22 GMT

The Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre has published reports on rates of laboratory-confirmed infections and notifications of communicable diseases in Wales for the month of November 2011.

Next meeting of Hanson Cement Investigation Response Team

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:04:35 GMT

The sixth meeting of the Hanson Cement Investigation Response Team is taking place on Tuesday 6 December 2011.

Influenza activity in Wales: week 47 2011

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:05:04 GMT

The weekly clinical consultation rate for influenza in Wales for week 47 is 5.6 consultations per 100,000 population and has decreased from week 46 (7.4 consultations).

UK Sexual Health Awards 2012, Thursday 15th March 2012

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:32:16 GMT

The fpa and Brook have joined forces to launch the UK Sexual Health Awards, which will commence in 2012.

Minister visits upgraded breast screening centre

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:30:25 GMT

The Minister for Health and Social Services, Lesley Griffiths, has visited the Breast Test Wales screening centre in Swansea to see how new state-of-the-art digital equipment is being put to use.

Assessing the options to use the regulatory environment to promote local physical activity and health

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:41:37 GMT

This report presents the results of the project Assessing the options to use the regulatory environment to promote local physical activity and healthy eating.

Greenspace is good...but can we prove it?

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:26:39 GMT

‘Greenspace is good...but can we prove it?’ was a two year research programme funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

Making the case for investment in the walking environment

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:10:17 GMT

This report brings together and evaluates the multiple health, economic, social and environmental benefits of investment in walking friendly public spaces.

Health Minister launches nursing version of quality improvement guide

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:14:12 GMT

Health Minister Lesley Griffiths launched a special ‘nursing edition’ of ‘The 1000 Lives Plus Quality Improvement Guide’ on Tuesday, 29 November. The new guide has been published with the support of the Royal College of Nursing, Wales (RCN Wales) and will enable all nursing staff to introduce improvements in the care they provide.

Health Minister launches nursing version of quality improvement guide

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:05:28 GMT

Health Minister Lesley Griffiths launched a special ‘nursing edition’ of ‘The 1000 Lives Plus Quality Improvement Guide’ on Tuesday, 29 November.

Mentro Allan Research Pack

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:18:00 GMT

The National Project closed on the 30th July 2011.

Mentro Allan Research Pack

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:04:08 GMT

The National Project closed on the 30th July 2011.

Welsh kids to benefit from big sporting changes

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:49:15 GMT

Big changes to the way children in Wales are given the skills to take part in sport is set to hit schools and clubs in 2012.

Grimple's Green Grants 2011

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:08:45 GMT

The inaugural Grimple's Green Grants was launched in August 2010 by The Green Insurance Company. They have already encouraged green behaviour on our roads through the green insurance policies but Green Grants has now been extended into communities across the UK.

Natural Environment White Paper

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:36:49 GMT

A healthy, properly functioning natural environment is the foundation of sustained economic growth, prospering communities and personal wellbeing.

Assessing the options to use the regulatory environment to promote local physical activity and health

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:20:15 GMT

This report presents the results of the project Assessing the options to use the regulatory environment to promote local physical activity and healthy eating.

Making the case for investment in the walking environment

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:33:30 GMT

This report brings together and evaluates the multiple health, economic, social and environmental benefits of investment in walking friendly public spaces.

New online resource linking planning and health

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:06:15 GMT

Healthy Places – a new interactive online resource developed by the National Heart Forum (NHF) - is now live.

Job Opportunity at Sustrans

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:00:58 GMT

Sustrans, the charity that’s enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day, is seeking an experienced person to join their national team:

ECSS Pre-Conference Symposium

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:00:41 GMT

The ECSS pre-conference symposium entitled: Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Interventions for Children and Young People: From Robust Research to Reality in Practice was held in July 2011 at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU).

New online resource linking planning and health

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:36:28 GMT

Healthy Places – a new interactive online resource developed by the National Heart Forum (NHF) - is now live.

Vacancies for Fitness Wales Trustees

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:21:05 GMT

Fitness Wales are looking for FIVE trustees to join the charity and support the future strategic development and operation for the organisation.

IMSPA Wales Consultation document launch

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:01:33 GMT

The National Management Board for IMSPA in Wales has published a consultative strategy document to help focus the future work of IMSPA in Wales.

Greenspace is good...but can we prove it?

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:42:06 GMT

‘Greenspace is good...but can we prove it?’ was a two year research programme funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

Major sporting facilities for Colwyn Bay officially opened

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:56:54 GMT

The regeneration of Colwyn Bay has taken a major step forward with the official opening of the new £6.5 million Parc Eirias Events Centre.

Job opportunity with Sustrans

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:24:27 GMT

Sustrans, the charity that’s enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day, is seeking an experienced person to join their national team:

Staff and students invited to capture patient viewpoint on camera

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:43:53 GMT

1000 Lives Plus is asking health professionals and other frontline staff in NHS Wales, healthcare students and academics to take part in a worldwide photo campaign to promote empathy, compassion and patient and family-centred care.