Wales NHS News

Plans setting out how terminally-ill people in Wales will be supported and cared for at the end of their life were launched by the Health Minister today.

The "Delivering End of Life Care" plan sets out to make care consistently good across the country.

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Baroness Ilora Finlay, who will also speak at today's launch, says the way people are cared for at the end of life lives on in the memories of the bereaved.

Children who are losing a parent or grandparent will be deeply affected by all they see, experience and feel. Health care professionals need to listen to the patient and those who know the patient best, balancing at times different priorities.

In this plan we aim to ensure that people's wishes are known, that those delivering care know what to do and where to call for help and that attention to detail happens at every level.

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The Health Minister will launch the plan at Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend, and talk to staff at the hospital's specialist palliative care unit.

How well we care for our dying reflects how we care as a society. Maintaining the dignity of an individual in their last days of life is vital. It can be done, by having open and honest conversations about the end of life and providing support to people and their families to plan for the end of life.

Inequalities at the end of life are as unacceptable as inequalities in life. Good quality end of life care must be available wherever and whenever an individual dies, taking into account their wishes.

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Health Minister Mark Drakeford will launch a new plan today setting out how terminally ill people in Wales will be supported and cared for at the end of their lives.

'Together for Health, Delivering End of Life Care' aims to ensure families and professionals work together to plan for the end of life, while making sure patients are well-supported whether they choose to die at home or in hospital.

The plan sets out the Welsh Government's expectations of NHS Wales and its partners to make end of life care consistently good across the country.

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An art exhibition by young patients depicting their experiences of hospital has been described as 'eye-opening' by staff working in the health sector.

Looking at the way the children have expressed themselves through their artwork gives us, as adults and clinicians, a very different perspective on what it’s like to be a young person in hospital.

We hope that this year’s art project has provided our young patients with an opportunity to express themselves through creative work and helped them feel more comfortable at what can be a worrying time in their lives.

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• Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
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Children's Commissioner Keith Towler will today visit Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales to unveil an art exhibition depicting young patients' experiences of hospital.

The youngsters have worked alongside artists from Valley and Vale Community Arts for the project, which is funded by the Arts Council of Wales.

Many patients have long-term conditions which make them frequent visitors to the children's hospital.

Through the project, they turned to paint and pencils to share their their emotions as they went through treatment.

Linda Hughes-Jones, who works for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and also led the project, said the artwork is 'eye-opening' and has given health workers 'a different perspective' on how it feels to be a young person in hospital.

The artwork will be displayed on the hospital walls, as well as appearing in a short DVD.

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• Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
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A new campaign has been launched in an attempt to tackle abuse of NHS staff, particularly over the festive season.

The Health Minister, Lesley Griffiths, said a similar crackdown on offenders has resulted in more successful prosecutions against those who are abusive towards staff.

In 2008 - 2009 there were eight prosecutions for violence towards NHS staff. Over the last 30 months there have been 387 successful prosecutions.

The campaign uses posters in hospitals and surgeries across Wales warning that verbal or physical abuse will result in prosecution.

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A pensioner and her husband from Gwent who have benefited from a social care scheme say it has helped them keep their independence.

Dorren and William Williams from Blackwood received a handrail at the front of their property and one in their garden.

Prior to the rails being fitted Mr & Mrs Williams were finding it increasingly difficult to climb the steps to their house and use their garden.

The 'Rapid Response' scheme funded by the Welsh Government and administered by Care & Repair Cymru was set up 10 years-ago and has saved the NHS and care budgets more than 100 million pounds by upgrading homes to prevent older people from having accidents.

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• Blackwood
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Around six hundred lives are being lost every year across Wales because doctors and other medical professionals are not following basic procedures. That's the warning of a committee of AMs investigating hospital acquired blood clots or thromboses.

The total number of deaths is substantially higher than the number of people being killed by breast cancer, aids and MRSA together. AMs say seventy per cent of the fatalities could be avoided with the right approach. Our Health Correspondent Mariclare Carey-Jones has more

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• National Assembly for Wales
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