Author: Rhys Gregory

A specialist advice service for GPs, paramedics and other healthcare professionals caring for patients in the community has gone live in record time. Consultant Connect is an innovative phone app which allows them to obtain advice rapidly from a range of hospital consultants. It has been successfully used by the NHS in England and Scotland, and is now being introduced in Wales with Welsh Government funding. Swansea Bay is the first Welsh health board to launch it. And whereas implementing Consultant Connect usually takes six to eight weeks, the app went live this week after just 72 hours. Initially, the…

Consultants at Morriston Hospital are concerned that cardiac patients could be putting their lives at risk during the Coronavirus pandemic. Some patients appear to be avoiding hospitals and pharmacies because of the outbreak. Doctors are now urging them to continue their treatment plans, or they could become seriously ill. Four people who had previously had stents fitted have ended up back in hospital in the last week because they did not take vital medication. Others are believed to be failing to seek medical advice while suffering chest pains at home, a potential sign of a heart attack which if untreated…

17-year-old Aamir was brutally murdered at his family home in Roath on the afternoon of Sunday, April 11 2010 while waiting for his Quran teacher. One man wanted in connection with his murder, Wales’ most wanted man – Mohammed Ali Ege – has now become one of Europe’s most wanted fugitives. His face appears on the Europol website as South Wales Police continues to work with the National Crime Agency and international law enforcement agencies to trace the 42-year-old and return him to the UK. In February 2013 Ben Hope and Jason Richards were convicted of the murder Aamir Siddiqi…

People across Wales and the UK have joined in a third “Clap for Carers” tribute, to say thanks to NHS staff and other key workers involved in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Front-line workers including delivery drivers, supermarket staff, care workers and bin collectors were among those honoured with a round of applause at this difficult time. Thank you NHS 💙 Among those sharing their appreciation, Cadw lit up Caerphilly Castle in blue, which joined other iconic sites across Wales including the Senedd. From the safety of your own homes, your gardens, front doors or balconies, people are encouraged…

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has thanked Wilko after the company’s generous donation of 1,000 Easter eggs – which continue to be given to young people after they were delivered on Friday. Having received the delivery from Wilko on April 3, a number of departments across the Council helped deliver the Easter eggs to the 13 emergency childcare hubs – where the children of key/essential workers (aged 3-14) and vulnerable young people (aged 3-19) each received the kind gift. A number of Easter eggs were also delivered to the Rhydyfelin Children’s Centre, for further distribution to young people across the County…

First Minister Mark Drakeford and NHS Wales are appealing to the Welsh public to download a new COVID Symptom Tracker app to help the NHS response to COVID-19 in Wales. People across Wales are being asked to log their daily symptoms to help build a clearer picture of how the virus is affecting people. The app is for everyone, not just those who are experiencing symptoms. Developed by researchers at King’s College London and healthcare science company, ZOE, the COVID-19 Symptom Tracker is already being used by more than 38,000 people in Wales, and over 2 million across the UK.…

Ministry of Furniture and sister company Ministry Graphics are making their contribution to the fight against COVID-19 by repurposing their facilities to make equipment to help frontline key workers. From its Group factory in Ystalyfera, the Ministry Graphics team has repurposed its machinery and facilities to allow it to make disposable face shields that can be used by frontline healthcare workers. It aims to be making as many as 500 a day at the site within a week. It will be supplying the face shields to organisations at a heavily discounted price and, for every item it sells, it will…

Mae BookTrust Cymru yn lansio hwb digidol newydd i helpu i ddifyrru plant a theuluoedd sydd gartref, ac i rannu llyfrau, straeon a rhigymau gan rai o hoff awduron, darlunwyr a storïwyr Cymru. Bydd BookTrust Cymru HomeTime – AmserGartref BookTrust Cymru yn cynnwys darlleniadau o lyfrau wedi’u ffilmio, sesiynau rhigwm a chân, llyfrau stori a llun rhyngweithiol a llawer iawn mwy. Mae awduron, darlunwyr a storïwyr o bob cwr o Gymru’n cyfrannu’u gwaith i helpu plant a theuluoedd ddod drwy’r amser anodd hwn tra bo’r ysgolion ar gau a bywyd arferol wedi’i gyfyngu. Bydd AmserGartref BookTrust Cymru yn rhoi cyfle…

BookTrust Cymru are launching a new digital hub to help entertain children and families at home and share books, stories and rhymes from some of Wales’s favourite writers, illustrators and storytellers.  BookTrust Cymru HomeTime – AmserGartref BookTrust Cymru will include filmed book readings, rhyme and song sessions, interactive picture books and much more. Authors, illustrators and storytellers from across Wales are contributing their work to help children and families through this difficult time when our schools are closed and normal life is restricted.  BookTrust Cymru HomeTime will shine a light on some of the great talent that we have in Wales and…

Care home owners in Wales have protested they are being put under pressure to admit patients from hospitals when they haven’t got access to tests and enough personal protective equipment to shield residents and staff from the coronavirus. Mary Wimbury, the chief executive of Care Forum Wales, has written to First Minister Mark Drakeford saying they Welsh Government appeared to be willing to sacrifice 20,000 vulnerable care home residents. She called on Prof Drakeford to disclose the Welsh Government’s own risk assessment in relation to discharging patients from hospitals to care homes. While she understood the importance of creating more…