Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service

The Welsh Assembly Government is seeking to appoint volunteer members to the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Community Health Council. CHCs are the public’s independent ‘watchdog’ in the National Health Service in Wales. They represent the public interest and play an important role in influencing the way that health services are planned, delivered and improved. The Abertawe Bro Morgannwg CHC will be established from 1 April 2010 with the following Local Committees:

• Neath Port Talbot
• Bridgend
• Swansea

Each Local Committee will have three third sector places, nominated by the relevant County Voluntary Council. The CHC is looking for people from all walks of life – the most important requirement is a genuine interest in improving health services for your community. Some key skills which would be useful include: an interest in and understanding of local health issues; being able to work in a team and with a diverse range of people; and an ability to listen to others and exchange views. For more information go to our employment page.

Closing date for responses is 28th April 2010. For more information go to the Welsh Assembly Government website.

The Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas has outlined proposals to improve the lives of carers with the publishing of the proposed Carers Strategies (Wales) Measure. For more information please visit the Welsh Assembly Government website.

A copy of the Community Plan Partnership Annual Seminar Report from 4th November 2009 is now available to download online.

Health Minister Edwina Hart has announced that women in Wales will have access to two cycles of IVF treatment free on the NHS from April next year.
Source: Welsh Assembly Government Website

Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust want to know if you want to become a member of their Partners in Healthcare Network?

You will have the opportunity to:

• Find out about Welsh Ambulance Services developments.
• Comment on and be involved in developing our services.
• Have your say about the services we provide, which include Emergency Ambulance Services, Patient Transport Services and NHS Direct Wales.
• Become involved in activities, for example, sharing your patient stories and carrying out surveys.

The Network aims to involve as many patients and members of the public as possible. For further information, or if you would like to become a member of Network, please contact 01792 776252 ext 5400, email ppi@ambulance.wales.nhs.uk or join online: www.ambulance.wales.nhs.uk

The Health Minister Edwina Hart has announced that ‘Designed to Smile’, the Oral Health Improvement Programme aimed at young children in Wales, is to be extended following two successful super pilot schemes in north and south Wales. Source: Welsh Assembly Government website.

NHS Reform have released an informative leaflet outlining the changes in the NHS in Wales entitled ‘NHS in Wales, why we are changing the structure’.  It is available to download from the NHS reform website.

The NHS Wales Governance e-Manual has been launched. It is designed to help NHS organisations in Wales to develop robust governance and assurance arrangements that meet the standards for all public services in Wales and which support the delivery of high quality and safe healthcare services. To access the e-manual go to the NHS Wales website.

The Welsh Assembly Government has announced the appointment of Bob Hudson as the Chief Executive of the newly constituted Public Health Wales NHS Trust. Go to the Welsh Assembly Government website for more information.