Health, Social Care and Well Being News

Measles Newsletter

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board and its partners have produced a newsletter for residents which provides an update on the current measles outbreak, as well as some frequently asked questions and advice for looking after someone with measles. A copy of the newsletter can be found in the resources section to the right hand side of the page.

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Boards Stakeholder Reference Group

Each Local Health Board is required to set up a 'Stakeholder Reference Group' to ensure representation of the community in which it serves, staff and health professionals. The Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG) acts as an advisory group to the Health Board, providing advice on any aspect of Health Board business. This may include:

• Early engagement and involvement in the determination of the Health Board's overall strategic direction.
• Advice on specific service proposals prior to formal consultation.
• Feedback on the impact of the Health Board's operations on the communities it serves.

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University (ABMU) Health Board's SRG has 25 members (including an elected Chair and Vice Chair). Twelve of these members are Third Sector Representatives, representing different equality dimensions. Other members include the Local Authority, Police, Fire and Rescue, Environmental Agency and JobCentre Plus.

The Third Sector Representatives have been nominated and elected by members of the Regional Health, Social Care and Wellbeing (HSCWB) Third Sector Network. The Regional HSCWB Third Sector Network will also be the means for communication between the Third Sector Representatives and the Third Sector within the ABMU area.

For details of the third sector representatives on ABMU Health Boards SRG then contact Amy Meredith, Health, Social Care and Well Being Facilitator by email to amy_meredith@scvs.org.uk or by phone on 01792 544028.

Publication of Best configuration of hospital services for Wales: A Review of the evidence

An independent review of what clinical evidence says about hospital services in Wales, published on Wednesday 9th May, concludes that patients in Wales are not getting the best possible outcomes from their hospital care and there is a strong case for changing the way some hospital services are organised. The report, by Professor Marcus Longley at the Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care (WIHSC) at the University of Glamorgan, was commissioned by the NHS in Wales.

A full copy of the report and the supporting papers can be downloaded from the resources section to the right hand side of the page.

To view ABMU Health Boards response to WIHSC Report then please click here to be directed to ABMUs website.

Healthy City Swansea launches Healthy City Directory

A NEW health directory for Swansea has been launched. This is a fantastic new facility which builds upon previous work undertaken by NHS Direct Wales.

Councillor Nick Tregoning, who leads the Healthy City programme in Swansea, said: "There are so many groups, individuals and organisations, over 400 in fact, who run fantastic schemes in the Swansea area, which can help to improve people's general wellbeing or provide support. These are all listed on the directory. There really is something on there for everyone, whether you are trying to assist a friend, relative or patient, or looking for yourself," added Mr Tregoning. These include exercise classes, support for medical conditions and befriending schemes."

You can access it online right now at www.healthycitydirectory.co.uk or if you don't have internet access call 08454647 and ask for 'The Healthy City Directory.'

The directory will be promoted to health and social care professionals (GPs, District Nurses, Health Visitors and Social Care Staff) as well as the public. If your group/organisation would like to be included on the directory then please download a copy of the data entry form, which you will find in the resources section to the right hand side of the page. Please note that the information included on the Healthy City Directory is based on the NHS Direct Health and Well Being Directory, therefore for groups and organisations that are already listed on this directory (NHS Direct Health and Well Being) your information will already be included on the Healthy City Directory.

To download a copy of the information leaflet and flyer to promote the Healthy City Directory then please click on Healthy City Directory leaflet' which you will find in the resources section to the right hand side of the page.

NHS Five Year Vision (2011 - 2016)

A new five year vision for the NHS, based around community services and placing prevention, quality and transparency at the heart of healthcare has been published by Health Minister, Lesley Griffiths. To download a copy of the document please click on 'Together for Health', which you will find in the resources section to the right hand side of the page.

Update on Voluntary Sector Involvement in Community Networks

Community networks will provide the platform, to enable GP Practices and a range of professionals (community health, social care, third sector) working within defined areas to come together and plan care that is better co-ordinated to meet local needs.

To download an update on Voluntary Sector Involvement in Community Networks, then please click on 'Update on Voluntary Sector Involvement in Community Networks', which you will find in the resources section to the right hand side of the page. The document provides an update for voluntary organisations that work within the Swansea Locality, to highlight some of the ways in which are working to ensure that the voluntary sector are kept informed about developments and are actively engaged within the Community Networks in Swansea.

Community Network News - Edition 2

Primary and Community Services: Working Better Together - This newsletter has been established to keep health, social care and voluntary sector professionals with an interest in the developing community networks in touch with what's happening in Swansea. To download a copy of the newsletter then please click on 'Swansea Community News', which you will find in the resources section to the right hand side of the page.

Health, Social Care and Well Being Strategy (2011-2014)

The final health social care and well being strategy for 2011-2014 is now available. To download a copy of the strategy, please visit the Health Challenge Swansea website http://www.healthchallengeswansea.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=43801

Regional Health, Social Care and Well Being Third Sector Network

The Regional Health, Social Care and Wellbeing (HSCWB) network has been created to establish and increase dialogue between the Third Sector in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend and the Abertawe Bro-Morgannwg University (ABMU) Health Board. The vision being to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for people living in the ABMU Health Board area; reducing health inequalities, promoting social wellbeing within communities, preventing ill-health, aiding recovery and independence.

The Network will meet four times a year and be supported by the three Building Strong Bridges Health, Social Care & Wellbeing Facilitators based at Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service (NPTCVS), Swansea Council for Voluntary Service (SCVS) and Bridgend Association for Voluntary Organisations (BAVO).

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 12th June from 2.00pm - 4.00pm