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BBC News
3 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Lung cancer screening for smokers and former smokers in Wales
Smokers and former smokers aged 55 to 74 in Wales will be offered lung cancer screening, the Welsh government has announced. The phased rollout will begin in 2027, with the oldest eligible people expected to be sent the first cases of lung cancer are caused by smoking and the symptoms of the disease often do not appear until it has spread to other parts of the Health Wales (PHW) said the screening programme had the potential to save lives, particularly in more deprived areas where lung cancer mortality rates are significantly higher. The announcement follows a successful pilot in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board area, during which 600 people were screened and 12 cases of lung cancer were diagnosed - two-thirds at an early stage. Heather Lewis from PHW said lung cancer was often diagnosed too late, but that screening could detect lung cancer earlier when it is "easier to treat". "Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Wales," she said, adding that finding it earlier meant treatment could start sooner and more people could "live longer, healthier lives". Wales' Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said the lung cancer screening programme would use mobile CT scanners and include support to help people quit of 2022, around 340,000 people in Wales - 14.1% of the overall population - smoked cigarettes, according to the ONS. Miles said the screening programme's implementation would take place in three stages to help the NHS scale up its said it would also include protocols for detecting conditions such as COPD, adding that the full screening programme would cost around £13m a year.A similar lung cancer screening programme, targeting former and current smokers aged 55-74, is expected to be fully rolled out in England by 2029. What is lung cancer? According to the NHS, lung cancer is a common and serious disease which is often diagnosed late because symptoms do not usually become apparent until a later than 43,000 people are diagnosed with the condition every year in the mainly affects older people, with smoking being the leading cause. Treatment options and outcomes vary depending on the cancer type and stage, but early diagnosis significantly improves survival chances. What are the symptoms of lung cancer? A persistent coughCoughing up bloodPersistent breathlessnessUnexplained tiredness and weight lossAn ache or pain when breathing or coughing
Wales Online
15-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Welsh hospitals shut wards after norovirus outbreak
Welsh hospitals shut wards after norovirus outbreak Visiting has been banned at a number of hospitals amid an outbreak of the virus A number of wards at Welsh hospitals are being affected by norovirus outbreaks (Image: Peter Byrne/PA ) An outbreak of norovirus has led numerous Welsh health boards to implement restrictions across their hospitals. Due to the increase in case across a number of different hospitals, some health boards have implemented no visiting policies for affected wards. On Thursday May 15 Hywel Dda University Health Board confirmed that wards have been closed in two of their hospitals due to a norovirus outbreak. Visiting on some wards has been stopped at Withybush and Glangwili Hospitals to prevent the virus spreading further. A spokesperson for the health board said that the situation is being "monitored". Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here There are also visiting restrictions in place at Morriston Hospital, which is managed by Swansea Bay UHB. Health board bosses said: "Unfortunately, Norovirus is currently circulating in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot communities and this has resulted in an increase in the number of people presenting to Morriston Hospital with symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea." A number of wards at Morriston have been affected by the outbreak. However, other health boards are not seeing an uptick in cases. Cwm Taf Morgannwg, Aneurin Bevan and Powys Teaching health boards confirmed to WalesOnline that there are no restrictions in place at their hospitals. Article continues below A spokesperson for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board also said that they are not currently seeing an increase in norovirus cases but will continue to monitor the situation closely. The latest data from Public Health Wales shows that there was a peak of norovirus cases a number of weeks ago, which was followed by a trough. However, there has been an uptick in the number of cases over recent weeks. A total of 39 norovirus cases were confirmed in the current reporting week, up from 21 the week prior. Noroviruses a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. The NHS say that the main symptoms usually start suddenly and include: feeling sick being sick (vomiting) diarrhoea It is usually treated at home. People are being asked to not visit hospitals if they have had diarrhoea or vomiting over the last 72 hours and are reminded of the importance of hand washing. A spokesperson for Hywel Dda UHB said: "Norovirus (diarrhoea and vomiting) is currently circulating in our communities. A number of our hospitals have been affected, particularly Glangwili and Withybush hospitals, which means we have had to temporarily restrict visiting on some wards to prevent the virus spreading further. "We kindly ask that you do not visit any of our hospitals if you have had diarrhoea and or vomiting in the last 48 hours, or have been caring for someone with these symptoms during the last 72 hours. "If you are well and have not been in contact with someone infectious, and are planning to visit Glangwili or Withybush hospitals, please contact the ward in advance. "Norovirus can be treated at home with hydration and rest. If you have symptoms of norovirus, stay home for 48 hours after they clear. "Follow these simple steps to avoid spreading the infection: Stay home for 48 hours after symptoms clear Wash hands with soap and warm water Don't prepare food for others" Article continues below Betsi Cadwaladr UHB have been contacted for an update on norovirus at their hospitals. Please visit the NHS 111 Wales webpage where you can get advice on how to manage norovirus at home: NHS 111 Wales - Health A-Z : Norovirus
BBC News
16-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Welsh mortuaries overcrowded due to death certificate delays
Families are unable to say goodbye to loved ones because of changes to death certificates which has also led to overcrowded mortuaries, a funeral director has Griffith said it was taking between 10 and 20 days for bodies to arrive due to the new system, introduced in September, which he said made it hard to make them look presentable for loved ones. Overcrowding has also led to hundreds of bodies being moved to other mortuaries in the past six months, and Mr Griffith said families were not being informed. The lead medical examiner for Wales said he was working "tirelessly" to address any delays. Under the new system, partially introduced in response to the deaths caused by serial killer doctor Harold Shipman, all deaths not investigated by a coroner must be reviewed independently by a medical examiner before a death certificate can be issued. Mr Griffith, a funeral director in Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, said: "It's wrong for families who can't say goodbye to their loved ones. "There's no other way to say it, they're absolutely devastated."He said it would previously take about three or four days for a body to be released from a hospital mortuary to a funeral director, but this was now taking 10 to 20 days. "I've had to turn families away from coming to the chapel of rest because I can't make their loved ones presentable enough because of the length of time between the passing and the registration. "It's very traumatic for them and it's causing families to have lots of anxiety, lots of stress and pain. It doesn't need to happen." As a result of the delays, health boards are having to move bodies between hospitals to ensure morgues do not exceed capacity. Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board, which covers Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bridgend and Merthyr Tydfil, moved approximately 500 deceased patients between September and mid March, according to a BBC Wales Freedom of Information (FOI) health board said this was caused by "extreme pressure due to increased length of stay", adding it appreciated the time after death was "distressing" for families and that its priority during transportation was to "maintain the dignity of that person". Mr Griffith said he was not surprised bodies were being moved, but was shocked families were not being told. "I think if families knew exactly - the transportation and moving sometime 20 to 25 miles from one hospital to another - I don't think they would approve of that. "And again, during the transportation period they're unrefrigerated," he said. Elsewhere, Aneurin Bevan health board said it had moved 229 bodies between mid September and late February, Swansea Bay 98 and Hywel Dda 21. Cardiff and Vale health board said it was "not possible" to provide a count and Betsi Cadawaldr said no persons had been moved due to shortage of space, only for post-mortem examinations. Iwan Evans, a funeral director in Carmarthenshire, said there was no blame on mortuary staff or any specific health board, adding there was a "natural pressure" in the winter months due to an increase in deaths. But he said the lack of capacity in hospital mortuaries was "definitely" a direct result of the "bureaucratic" medical examiner system. "When we're alive, we trust the doctors, but then after death, this whole system is in place to review and monitor the doctor's work."I don't think it's 100% suitable for them to review every single death." Health is devolved in Wales, but death certificates are Evans said the Welsh government should intervene. "There are systems to take care of the deceased all over the world, but the situation we have is that our Senedd, where health has been devolved, is accountable to another parliament for this matter." Rachel Bradburne, of the National Association of Funeral Directors, said the "piecemeal" nature of the system was "frustrating" and the current system was "full of bottlenecks and delays". Jason Shannon, lead medical examiner for Wales, said he recognised the importance of "seamless and timely death certification". "We sympathise with any loved ones experiencing delays and we are working tirelessly with all professionals and organisations involved in the death certification process to address any delays being experienced following new changes to the England and Wales death certificate system," he added. The Welsh government apologised to families who had experienced delays and said the changes were designed to "strengthen safeguard". It added it was working with the lead medical examiner, NHS and other organisations to provide additional support. The Department of Health and Social Care said the changes supported "vital improvements to patient safety" and provide comfort and clarity to the bereaved. "We recognise that there are significant regional variations, and we are actively monitoring these and working closely with the NHS and the Welsh government to swiftly address them."
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Drone reveals scale of major hospital's rotten roof
When experts inspected the roof of the Princess of Wales hospital last October, they found an immediate risk to patients. A "design defect" meant driving rain was being trapped beneath tonnes of concrete tiles, rotting the wooden battens that held them up. "There was no structural separation between the tiles and the patients in the beds down below, so it was pretty serious," said architect Jeoff Houlker, who believes the situation could have become "catastrophic" over the winter. A critical incident was declared at the hospital in Bridgend, south Wales, and the entire first floor - including the intensive care unit (ICU) - was evacuated. Hospital's rotting roof declared critical incident Hospital's rotten roof repair to cost £20m Almost overnight, Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board lost 10 wards, eight theatre spaces and had to relocate the ICU at a time of huge pressure on Welsh hospitals to tackle lengthy waiting lists. The rapid "decant of services" meant the nine-bed ICU was given a temporary new home in the space previously occupied by eye theatre. That in turn had to move off-site, to a different hospital – just one example of the huge ripple felt across the entire health board's estate. Dr Gareth Roberts, clinical lead for critical care, said a big part of the move was keeping patients' relatives informed and reassured. The roof has now been replaced over the original ICU, but work continues to refurbish the unit itself. Walking around the shell of the ward for the first time since it was evacuated, Dr Roberts admitted feeling a mix of emotions. "I don't think it's what the NHS deserves or needs," said Dr Roberts. "It deserves proactive work rather than reactive. But I'm glad we've done everything we have safely, and the last few months have shown we are able to be nimble, safe and dynamic." Wales-wide efforts to provide more hospital care at home enabled some patients to be discharged, but it is has been hard to escape the impact on planned care. "The areas that have been a particular challenge are endoscopy, where we've lost capacity, and planned orthopaedic operations," said Paul Mears, chief executive of the health board. Mr Mears said they had arranged for some additional capacity at the nearby Prince Charles Hospital and Royal Glamorgan Hospital. "It's put us back by a few months, but we want to get back on track as quickly as possible because we recognise obviously there are patients who have been waiting a long time," he added. Head of nursing, Catherine Theron, said it was crucial to reassure staff and the local community that the changes were only temporary. "We had a very short time frame to move everyone immediately," she said. "It's really shown the resilience of our teams and the community of this hospital. Everyone has pulled together." If there is a silver lining to the upheaval, the closure of a large part of the hospital has meant essential updates to fire safety and IT work could be addressed. Large parts of the new roof are also now covered in solar panels which – at full capacity – will serve half the hospital's energy needs. Across Wales the total maintenance backlog for the NHS estate is approaching £977m - with the vast majority deemed to be high or significant risk. Health board boss Mr Mears said managing the day-to-day business of healthcare alongside building repairs was a constant juggle. "It does mean you have to make difficult choices," he said, adding they were grateful for government assistance and plans to increase the NHS capital budget next year. "There is always going to be trade-offs. But it's also about looking at how you can potentially come out of some of the most substandard estate and think about maybe consolidating estate, or creating new, to try and mitigate the risks." The hospital's roof repair work totals nearly £28m and is being funded by the Welsh government. The first phase of the new 10,000 sq m roof is complete, meaning maternity, neo-natal care and the special care baby unit will return to the site within a few weeks. The full repairs are expected to be finished by August. First-time mum worried as maternity unit closes Hospital's rotting roof declared critical incident Hospital's rotten roof repair to cost £20m
