Author: Rhys Gregory

Video consultations, which was stepped up across health boards in Wales as part of the Welsh Government’s response to the Covid pandemic, have proven to be overwhelmingly popular with patients in the Swansea Bay University Health Board (SBUHB) area, with more than 46,000 video consultations taking place over the past 11 months – the second highest number in Wales. As part of the Welsh Government’s response to COVID-19, TEC Cymru and partners established the NHS Wales Video Consulting Service that provides safe access to healthcare online. The service is utilised across all health settings in Wales, including pharmacies, prisons, opticians,…

Sue Tranka takes up the post of Wales’s Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), bringing with her almost 30 years of nursing experience. Originally from South Africa where she qualified as a midwife, registered general nurse, mental health and community nurse, Sue has been working for the NHS for 22 years in both operational and clinical leadership roles. Sue has considerable experience in patient safety and quality improvement. Since January 2020, she has been working for NHS England where she led on the national nursing response for COVID as Deputy CNO for Patient Safety and Innovation. Protecting staff and patients from nosocomial…

A letter from the UK’s three devolved Governments has been sent to the UK Government’s Secretary of State for the Department of Work and Pensions, Thérèse Coffey, expressing “grave concerns” regarding plans to withdraw a £20-per-week increase to Universal Credit. The letter – jointly signed by the Welsh Government’s Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt, Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government Shona Robison, and the Northern Ireland Executive’s Minister for Communities Deidre Hargey – says: “We are writing to express the grave concerns of all three devolved administrations regarding your Department’s upcoming plans to withdraw…

EU citizens in Wales will still be able to access free and confidential support for their EU Settlement Scheme applications until 31 December 2021, the Welsh Government have confirmed. The Home Office’s EU Settlement Scheme, known as EUSS, offered EU, non-EU EEA and Swiss citizens, and their eligible family members the opportunity to protect their residency since the UK left the European Union. The scheme closed at the end of June 2021, however late applications with reasonable grounds are still being accepted by the Home Office. Today’s [Tuesday 31 August] announcement confirms access for EU citizens to free support from…

Business confidence in Wales rose for the first time since May, up seven points during August to 19%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Companies in Wales reported marginally higher confidence in their own business prospects, up one point from July’s reading to 16%. Optimism in the economy increased significantly after coronavirus restrictions came to an end during August, up 13 points to 22%. Taken together, this gives a headline confidence reading of 19%. The Business Barometer questions 1,200 businesses monthly and provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. A net balance of 8% of…

A heart attack survivor from Caernarfon has raised over £3,200 in support of the British Heart Foundation and Awyr Las, the North Wales NHS Charity, with a sponsored cycle ride from Penygroes to Bodelwyddan. Dilwyn Rowlands, says “Having reached the grand old age of 50 in January 2021, I considered myself fit and healthy! I ran an average of 20-30 miles per week and was a regular cyclist. However, whilst cycling with my wife on the Lon Eifion Cycle Path in April 2021 I had a heart attack resulting in me receiving specialist care at the North Wales Cardiac Care…

Innovative fitness and technology business Fitness Interactive Ltd. has launched a pioneering new interactive workout system, designed to mimic combat sports, in a bid to join the likes of Peloton, ClassPass and Strava in a share of the burgeoning multi-billion pound ‘Connected Fitness’ industry. Connected Fitness is the application of digital technology to sports, fitness and wellness equipment and activities, using a “smart” mix of hardware, software, and content. By 2025 the industry is projected to be worth $5.96 billion. Experts predict that it looks set to do to the traditional fitness industry what Netflix did to Blockbuster Video in…

A lorry-driving grandfather has won one of the world’s fastest cars – as part of a campaign run by Omaze to help raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH Charity). Andrew Olsen, from Caerphilly, South Wales scooped the “Early Bird Prize” of Omaze’s latest Million Pound House Draw to win a McLaren 720S Spider worth £275,000. It has a four litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine under the bonnet that produces a whopping 710bhp – helping it reach 0-60 in under three seconds and hit a top speed of 212mph – making it one of the world’s fastest supercars. Mr…

Torfaen council is on track to save millions of pounds and significantly reduce its carbon footprint and impact on climate change after investing in over 45 energy efficiency upgrades across the borough. The council has implemented a range of decarbonisation and sustainability projects over the last five years aimed at cutting its energy consumption including street lighting upgrades, LED lighting overhauls and the installation of numerous Building Energy Management Systems (BMS) in public sector buildings. Worth over £1.9 million, the projects, which were funded with the help of interest-free funding administered by Salix Finance in partnership with the Welsh Government,…

McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Bridgend will be broadening its fashion and menswear offering this month by welcoming Welsh-born brand Weekend Offender to the centre.  Founded in South Wales in 2004 by Sam Jones and Rhydian Powell, Weekend Offender has become a staple menswear brand, taking inspiration from subcultures past and present – such as football, music and film. Their range combines technical fabrics and clean utilitarian designs to create functional clothing with a rebellious twist.  Richard Garratt, Centre Manager commented: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming a leading local-born fashion brand to the center for our guests to enjoy ahead of Autumn/Winter shopping. Founded in nearby Merthyr Tydfil, Weekend Offender has…