
MS for Wrexham pays tribute to Nightingale House Hospice
Nightingale House Hospice has provided vital care and support to patients and their families for more than 30 years and it is clearly appreciated by the local community.
In addition to providing specialist palliative care for those with life-limiting illnesses, Nightingale House also offers a wide range of services for individuals and families, including an out-patient clinic, occupational therapy, complementary therapies, physiotherapy including a hydrotherapy pool and an ambulance service.
A range of bereavement support services are offered including a specialist service for children and young adults.
I am in regular correspondence with Nightingale House and I recently visited the hospice once again to meet with Chief Executive, Lauren Emberton and Chair of the Board of Trustees, Chris Burgoyne.
In recent years, the hospice has undergone an extensive renovation, with the centrepiece being a state-of-the-art 12-bed in-patient ward.
More than £5m was invested in total and the work was finally completed in May 2024, following delays brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The dedicated staff deliver outstanding care and support and following my latest visit, I have written to the Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Health & Social Care, Jeremy Miles MS, inviting him to visit so he can see firsthand all the excellent work that takes place.
I also want to pay tribute to the 450 active volunteers who make such an invaluable contribution.
Without their tireless efforts, the hospice would simply not be able to function.
We are fortunate to have such a fantastic facility on our doorstep.
Nightingale House remains a pillar of our community and I will continue to do all I can to support the hospice.
In case you have missed it, Europe's largest cultural event is underway in Wrexham!
The National Eisteddfod is taking place on the outskirts of the city centre in Isycoed until Saturday 9 August.
I talked about it in greater detail in last week's column but every day this week there will be a wide range of activities and events taking place that the whole family can enjoy.
Tickets are still available and I look forward to seeing people on the 'Maes'.
As always, if you're a constituent in Wrexham and there is an issue I could help you with, please contact me via email: lesley.griffiths@senedd.wales or call 01978 355743.
You can also keep up to date by following me on 'X' (Twitter) and Facebook, just search @lesley4wrexham.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
From folding in half to swollen hands – the 8 signs of killer virus in China sparking global outbreak fears
The virus gets its name from a word meaning 'that which bends up' or 'doubled-up', in reference to the stooped posture of victims hunched over in pain VIRAL ALERT From folding in half to swollen hands – the 8 signs of killer virus in China sparking global outbreak fears Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HEALTH chiefs in China have reimposed strict, Covid-esque restrictions in a desperate bid to contain a virus that leaves victims disabled. More than 7,000 people have been struck down by the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus in China's biggest ever outbreak of the crippling disease, experts have warned. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 A worker sprays insecticide at a public housing estate following reports of imported cases of Chikungunya in Hong Kong, China Credit: Reuters 7 The majority of cases have been reported in Foshan, a city in southern Guangdong province. It is here where officials have rolled out Covid-style crackdowns in a bid to stop the virus from spiralling out of control. At least 12 other cities in the southern Guangdong province have also reported infections. On Monday, Hong Kong reported its first case - a 12-year-old boy who developed symptoms after travelling to Foshan in July. Although the disease is rarely fatal, it can cause excruciating joint pain, fever, rashes and swelling, especially in the hands and feet. In response, authorities in Foshan have launched emergency mosquito control operations, including mass insecticide spraying, public health alerts, and door-to-door inspections. Those with chikungunya must stay in hospital, where their beds will protected with mosquito nets. They can only be discharged after they test negative or at the end of a week-long stay. Here is what you need to know about the disease. What is chikungunya and what are the symptoms? Although rare in China, chikungunya outbreaks are common across South and South East Asia and parts of Africa. What is Chikungunya The virus, which is spread by the Aedes mosquito - also known as the tiger mosquito, was first identified in Tanzania in 1952 and has since been reported in over 110 countries. Most people who get bitten by an infected bug will develop symptoms within three to seven days. Dr César López-Camacho, from the Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford, said: "Although chikungunya rarely causes death, it can be extremely uncomfortable and disabling." Typical symptoms include: Excruciating joint pain, which can leave victims hunched or folded over in agony High fever Headache Muscle aches Nausea Fatigue Red, bumpy rash Swelling in the joints, particularly the hands and feet In severe cases, the joint pain can mimic arthritis, leaving sufferers temporarily disabled for months or even years. 7 Patient with joint deformities of the hands 6 years after confirmed chikungunya virus Credit: SehatHub 7 The virus is spread by the Aedes mosquito - also known as the tiger mosquito because of its stripy body Credit: Alamy The virus gets its name from a word meaning 'that which bends up' or 'doubled-up', in reference to the stooped posture of victims hunched over in pain. Most people recover within a week, but some may require hospital care, especially if complications like organ damage arise. The virus can attack vital organs including the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys, triggering dangerous inflammation and tissue damage. Its intense inflammatory response can also harm the lungs, skin, and joints, worsening symptoms and increasing the risk of serious complications. Those most at risk of severe illness include newborn babies, older adults, and people with underlying conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. Is there a treatment or vaccine? There is no specific treatment for chikungunya, but medics can treat the symptoms by giving medicines to lower fevers or ease muscle pain. Two chikungunya vaccines have recently been approved for use in the UK - although one is under safety review for older people. Those are mostly targeted at travellers and are not widely available in the countries most affected by chikungunya. Once someone has recovered from chikungunya, there is evidence to suggest they have lifelong immunity. Unlike malaria-carrying mosquitoes, called Anopheles, tiger mozzies are most active during the day, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. Experts warn that the best way to prevent its spread is to eliminate pools of stagnant water where mosquitoes breed, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Brits travelling to China amidst the outbreak should "be cautious", Dr César added. He continued: "The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Level 2 travel alert, recommending travellers use insect repellent, wear long sleeves, and stay in screened or air-conditioned accommodation. "Travellers returning from affected areas who develop fever and joint pain should seek medical attention and mention their recent travel." People travelling to high-risk areas where outbreaks of the virus often occur can get vaccinated against chikungunya at a travel clinic. 7 Insecticide being sprayed outside a Foshan hospital Credit: Getty 7 It is China's biggest outbreak of the disease Credit: Getty Is chikungunya in Europe? The WHO warned last month that chikungunya could soon affect billions across the globe - as it tears through parts of the Indian Ocean and edges closer to Europe. The health watchdog said it was seeing the same warning signs as in the last major outbreak two decades ago, when nearly half a million were infected worldwide. Dr Diana Rojas Alvarez, WHO's technical lead on the virus, said the bug is now spreading from Indian Ocean islands into Africa, Asia and Europe, and urged countries to act now to avoid billions falling ill. "We are seeing history repeating itself," she explained "Chikungunya is not a disease that is widely known, but it has been detected and transmitted in 119 countries globally, putting 5.6 billion people at risk," Dr Diana said. In Europe, officials are especially concerned about a spike in imported cases, and signs of the virus being transmitted locally. Since May 1, there have been around 800 imported chikungunya cases in mainland France, Dr Diana revealed. Even more worrying, there have been 12 local transmission episodes in several regions of southern France - meaning people were infected by mosquitoes in Europe, not while travelling. A case has also been detected in Italy, while the WHO says suspected cases have cropped up in other parts of the continent. Last year, Europe saw a sharp surge in mosquito-borne diseases - including dengue, West Nile, and malaria - with some infections doubling in just 12 months. In places where people have little or no immunity, up to three-quarters of the population can become infected, the WHO warned. "The case fatality rate is less than one per cent, but when you start counting millions of cases, that one per cent can be thousands," Dr Diana said. 7 The WHO warned chikungunya could soon affect billions across the globe Credit: Getty How concerning is this outbreak? Though tactics adopted by authorities in China hark back to lockdown measures five years ago, chikungunya "does not pose the same level of pandemic threat as a virus like Covid-19", according to Prof Tom Solomon, director of The Pandemic Institute in Liverpool. Dr César López-Camacho, from the Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford, added: 'It is extremely unlikely to cause a pandemic in the traditional sense, as chikungunya does not spread from person to person. "However, it can cause large regional outbreaks, especially when introduced to mosquito-rich, low-immunity settings, like what we are probably seeing in China." The risk to the UK from this outbreak is "currently low" as Aedes mosquitoes, which tend to carry the virus, aren't widespread here. "But we do need to watch closely, as climate change and global travel are expanding the range of these mosquitoes, and with it, the viruses they carry," Dr López-Camacho warned. 'It is also important that genetic sequencing of the virus in this outbreak is carried out. "In past outbreaks, mutations have helped chikungunya adapt to new mosquito species. "If the virus has changed, we need to ensure current vaccines still offer protection." Brits travelling to China amidst the outbreak should "be cautious", the disease expert said. He continued: "The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Level 2 travel alert, recommending travellers use insect repellent, wear long sleeves, and stay in screened or air-conditioned accommodation. "Travellers returning from affected areas who develop fever and joint pain should seek medical attention and mention their recent travel." People travelling to high-risk areas where outbreaks of the virus often occur can get vaccinated against chikungunya at a travel clinic. But Prof Solomon noted: "There have been reports of serious side effects in people over the age of 65. "As such, the vaccine is currently recommended for travellers under 65 visiting high-risk areas."


STV News
5 hours ago
- STV News
More than half of Scots experience side-effects from medication, survey finds
Scotland's body for healthcare improvement has encouraged the public to take park in a scheme that tracks the side-effects of medications. Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) made the plea after revealing that just 10% of Scots who experience adverse effects to prescribed medicines are reporting them to the Yellow Card scheme. The statistic was taken from a study which sampled 560 individuals across the country, asking them about medicine safety, long-term health problems, pre-conception health and care. The report recommended more awareness surrounding the Yellow Card scheme, which is run by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), to improve on underreporting of side-effects of various drugs. About 57% of sample members said they had experienced a side-effect or unintended effect from a medicine. Those who had experienced side-effects were asked if they had spoken to anyone about what they experienced. Of these, 84% had spoken to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist, 29% had spoken to family and friends and 10% had reported it through the Yellow Card scheme. Laura Fulton, chief pharmacist with HIS, said: 'The Yellow Card scheme collects and monitors information on suspected safety concerns involving healthcare products, of which medicines are a significant contributor. 'This is extremely important as it flags side-effects that previously have not been reported, for example. It is vital to improve our understanding of medicines and safeguard patients. 'I would encourage patients, members of the public and healthcare professionals to proactively utilise the Yellow Card scheme and report any concern as soon as they can. 'This will undoubtedly help others both now and in the future.' Professor Simon Maxwell, medical director of the Yellow Card Centre Scotland, said: 'I am pleased that HIS report recognised the important role that the Yellow Card scheme has played, and will continue to play, in safeguarding public health in Scotland. 'Since its inception in the 1960s in the wake of the thalidomide disaster, the scheme has been helping to shine a light on important but less common side-effects to medicines that have not been fully clarified at the time of regulatory approval. 'That was particularly evident following the rapid approval of the Covid-19 vaccines in 2021. 'Although the ability to report side-effects to the scheme was originally restricted to medical professionals, any member of the public can now report, and those reports are making a growing contribution to the scheme. 'I welcome the report's focus on increasing public awareness of the scheme as a mechanism whereby all citizens can all make a contribution to medicines safety.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country


The Herald Scotland
6 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
My nephew's life was put on hold by Long Covid
Long Covid cuts a swathe through the lives of children and adults alike, and the numbers affected are staggering. In Scotland alone, there are estimated to be over 185,000 people with this disease, living with debilitating symptoms like crushing fatigue, brain fog, digestive problems, breathing difficulties and muscle weakness. My lovely nephew is one of those people. He was an energetic student in his final year at Glasgow University when he caught Covid-19 aged 22 and has been laid low by Long Covid since. He was full of plans, to work and travel, but instead, had to give up his job and move back in with his parents. Read More: It's been like watching someone being drugged and restrained. His body cries out for sleep but rest doesn't refresh him. He could sleep for 10 hours and still wake up feeling shattered. Most days since being infected, he has had a painful upset stomach. Like other people with Long Covid, he has bad days and better days, but can never predict what's coming. Some days he can do things, others he can barely hold a conversation. All that is bad enough, but what compounds the distress is the lack of meaningful support. To say that NHS support services are inadequate to meet people's needs would be a laughable understatement. My nephew's experience of GPs he has seen is that he knows more about Long Covid than they do. In fact he puts it more bluntly than that: 'Most don't have a clue.' In spite of ministers' insistence that there are clear referral pathways for people with Long Covid in Scotland, reports by the ALLIANCE and Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland show that the overwhelming majority of people struggle to get the support they need – a finding that is borne out by members of Long Covid Scotland. Again and again, people report having to research treatments themselves or turn to private GPs to get help that is not offered on the NHS – that's if they can afford it. As my nephew puts it, people feel 'abandoned' and have to figure out the way forward for themselves. The inadequacy of NHS support services has been the focus of campaigning by charities Long Covid Scotland and Long Covid Kids since they were set up, but they are at the end of their tether. This week, in protest at the Scottish Government's inaction, the two organisations formally resigned from the Scotland's Long Covid Strategic Network, which reports to the Scottish Government. They are exasperated and angry that after announcing a £4.5m one-year, non-recurring fund for people with Long Covid, ME, and chronic fatigue in December, ministers have yet to allocate a penny of it, and that this comes after years in which a previous £10m failed to deliver proper support for people with Long Covid. Trust has broken down. 'What was framed as a hopeful investment now stands as a symbol of inaction and broken promises,' says Jane Ormerod, the chair of Long Covid Scotland. The charities' verdict is withering. Instead of support being ramped up, they state that some services are being decommissioned, with still no provision at all for children and young people in most areas. They say that people with lived experience of Long Covid have consistently seen their input sidelined and that most health boards have disengaged from the network but the government hasn't intervened. They state: 'The Scottish Government remains functionally absent from the network: no oversight, no leadership, and no enforcement of its own Long Covid Service policy requirements. 'Faith has been lost. 'Too many times we have listened to assurances within the network followed by inaction.' Scots with Long Covid, they say, have been 'repeatedly let down'. That they've run out of patience is entirely understandable. A Holyrood Committee inquiry two years ago found that 'almost all individual respondents to the call for views spoke of a lack of awareness among medical professionals, GPs in particular, in terms of assessing patients, diagnosing long Covid and providing treatment options'. People told the Holyrood committee they had been 'gaslighted' and struggled to get their experience taken seriously. This just shouldn't happen, given the strong the international evidence that exists on Long Covid and how it presents. Research into Long Covid is ongoing, and no one expects a miracle cure, but the dim understanding of it among many medical professionals, the lack of clear treatment pathways for many sufferers and the history of broken promises, fall well short of what people have a right to expect. The effect of it all is that many people in the grip of a life-changing illness are being left without meaningful medical care. The Public Health Minister Jenni Minto says she regrets the charities' departure from the Long Covid network and that ministers are working with NHS Boards, preparing to set out how the £4.5m will be spent. But the charities have no faith in government promises. Perhaps the saddest aspect of all this is the experience of children and young people. Helen Goss, the Scottish lead for Long Covid Kids, says the system 'continues to fail the very people it was created to support'. The charities quote an 11-year-old with Long Covid in Edinburgh, who says: "I have nothing, no health, no fun, no life. No one seems to care.' Four years on from the height of the pandemic, the lack of meaningful support for children and adults with Long Covid is hard to excuse. The Scottish Government promises action – again – but for those living with this every day, it's way too late. Rebecca McQuillan is a journalist specialising in politics and Scottish affairs. She can be found on Bluesky at @ and on X at @BecMcQ