Speaking in the Assembly, Mr Davies said that for care in the community to be successfully delivered it was integral that discussions took place between Local Health Boards and Social Services. Talks must set out how to work together, and with primary care services such GP surgeries and pharmacies, to create care plans that best meet the differing health needs of patients.

The Llanelli AM asked the Health Minister what discussions had taken place and what the Ministers expectations were.

Keith Davies AM welcomed Welsh Government work to increase the number of patients who are cared for close to home and in the community. In a question to the Health Minister, Mr Davies emphasised that as well as facilitating widespread provision of care closer to the home, it must meet adequacy criteria.

Keith Davies AM said:

“I certainly know that where it is safe and practical to do so, the majority of patients would prefer to be treated in the community, in a setting as close to their home as is medically safe.”

“That is why it is vital that we ensure beforehand that provision is available, accessible and suitable for patients. Local Health Boards and Social Services departments, run by Local Authorities, are responsible for providing care, so it is important that they have held discussions on how to plan and provide this before a shift in care takes place.”

“This is something the Welsh Government is seeking to achieve, and I know that the Health Minister has already touched on this in his recent statement on unscheduled care. Given our increasingly elderly population and high rate of chronic diseases, this would reduce pressure in hospitals as well as being in line with patient’s wishes.”

The Health Minister, Mark Drakeford AM said:

“I entirely agree with Keith Davies that the discussions between local social services departments and local health services are fundamental to bringing about some of the changes that are necessary in our public health services.”

“Where these things work well, real progress is possible. There is good evidence in Carmarthenshire, with its reablement services…[it] has made a real difference to older people who, instead of going into residential care, have been reprovided with capacities that allow them to go home and to continue to live their lives in the way that they choose.”

ENDS

Mr Davies who chairs the Forum, which is developing a strategy to work together to positively promote the area, spoke of their work to champion improvements in the perception of the local area.

Station Road and the surrounding area is covered by Labour-led Carmarthenshire County Council’s local lettings policy which aims to build strong, integrated and safe communities by seeking a balance in their make-up. Now the Assembly Member has used an Assembly question to highlight local best practice here and how it combines creating a sustainable housing demand with improving local perceptions.

Keith Davies AM said:

“This comes against the backdrop of the UK Governments Welfare Reforms, most notably the ‘Bedroom Tax’ which affects over 800 people in the Llanelli area alone. Families and individuals will be forced to either make up the shortfall in rent or be forced to move, which could involve moving to new communities.”

“Station Road Forum is keen to champion the area and its residents, and wants to ensure that despite the pressure on the availability of single bedroom dwellings that the balance of this community is not affected in any way. There is a good sense of community in this area and the purpose of the Forum is to build better community links and to create a more positive image of the area.”

“I will be sending a survey to local residents seeking their views to understand how they feel about living in or near Station Road. The Forum can then use those views to build into the strategy it is pulling together to make the area a better place to live and work. We have many businesses on Station Road also, and I would be keen to get them involved, to contribute to future events and community development.”

The next Station Road Forum will be held on Friday the 7th of June. For further information or to contribute your views contact Keith Davies’ office on 01554 774902.

ENDS

The Committee met earlier this week to set a course of action to manage a series of petitions received from concerned residents in Llanelli and Pembrokeshire with regards to proposals for service reconfiguration by Hywel Dda Health Board.

Committee papers show that in the last month further concerns were raised by the committee with the newly appointed Minister for Health and Social Services Mark Drakeford and his views sought on the Hywel Dda Health Board’s proposals for service reconfiguration in west Wales.

In January of this year, a further petition signed by over 1,000 people was submitted to the committee in addition to the 9,000 and 24,000 named petitions submitted by SOSPPAN, Keith Davies AM and Nia Griffith MP on the steps of the Senedd last year.

Following a meeting of the Petitions Committee on Tuesday, of which Labour Assembly Member for Mid & West Wales Joyce Watson is a member, it has been decided that the Committee will again write to seek an update on progress with regards to Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest which form part of the Community Health Council’s (CHC) referral to the Minister for Health. Additional concerns on the ability of Hywel Dda LHB to meet the terms of a condition laid down by the CHC in regard to the re-provision of Minor Injuries Units in south Pembrokeshire will also be sought.

Keith Davies AM said:

“The Petitions Committee has worked to ensure that the concerns raised by thousands of local residents and the responses provided by the Health Ministers and Hywel Dda LHB have been scrutinised and further action taken.

“I will continue to press the Minister on the compelling case to retain the current doctor-led emergency service at Prince Philip Hospital for the benefit of local patients and to ensure the security and safety of services in south west Wales.”

ENDS

Llanelli AM Keith Davies has welcomed comments by Health Minister Mark Drakeford today (Thursday 16th May) in which he gives a clear message to NHS managers to take action following the recent NHS Wales staff survey.

Hywel Dda Local Health Board recently published key statistics from the survey undertaken by staff across the three counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire in a 70 page report on their website.

Minister for Health Mark Drakeford said: “Staff who work in the NHS, including managers, are instrumental in delivering an NHS we can all be proud of.

“I have made it very clear to Chairs and Chief Executives of our Health Boards and Trusts that I expect them to respond quickly to their local NHS Staff Survey Reports.”

The survey report highlighted some positive areas but Keith Davies AM is urging local managers not to be complacent:

“I think the Minister is right to highlight the negative and positives from this staff survey. It is important – especially in such a large and constantly evolving organisation that the views of staff are heard. Just 1 in 5 members of staff returned their survey in Hywel Dda, lower than the Wales-wide average of 27%. It is incumbent on the Chief Officers of the Health Board and on all Board members to ensure that positive changes are made and staff feel comfortable in sharing their views.”

Mr Davies praised Hywel Dda staff for the positive tone presented by them in relation to their work with 89% agreeing that they were trusted to do their job whilst 85% felt their role makes a difference to patients.

Keith Davies said:

“I want to praise front line staff for the hard work they do especially over what has been an extremely busy time in our local hospitals with record A&E attendances and increased pressures on our ambulance services and paramedics.”

“Everyone working in that situation deserves a pat on the back for their dedication to the job – which is highlighted by the levels of sickness at Hywel Dda. They are generally low – a figure much mentioned by the Health Board Chair as an indicator of how well the organisation is performing. But worryingly 68% of Hywel Dda employees stated that they went to work despite feeling unwell and I echo the concerns raised in the NHS Staff survey report that questions whether the pressure placed on committed staff is indeed beneficial to the health service, staff or patients.”

Worrying figures

At the other end of the scale, some of the lowest figures revealed in the survey relate to relations between staff and management. Alarmingly, just 13% of staff believed that senior managers would act on the results of the staff survey. Only 17% of staff feel that senior managers involve them in important decisions and whilst nearly half understood that service changes were necessary, a mere 17% responded by saying that change within the NHS was well managed.

The report suggests that there is a ‘perceived remoteness between the upper levels of the NHS… and employees… which crucially may suppress upwards flow of ideas and innovation to the detriment of service improvement.’

Keith Davies concluded:

“I hope that NHS managers take on board the concerns of their staff and use the data as an opportunity to engage better with their employees who share a high level of enthusiasm for and commitment to their work.”

ENDS

The UK Governments Welfare Reform Act brings the greatest changes to benefits in over 60 years.  Wider changes will have consequences for passported benefits in Wales such as free school meals.  Eligibility for these benefits in Wales is currently based on receiving certain Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits.  With DWP benefits being replaced it will affect the current eligibility criteria for passported benefits in Wales and have a knock-on effect on schemes to eradicate poverty. 

 Although Welfare provision in not devolved, Welsh Labour’s manifesto and Programme for Government committed to mitigating the effects of the UK Government cuts and welfare changes.  Of those benefits that were devolved such as Council Tax Benefit, the Welsh Labour Government required local authorities to create a reduction scheme and has made up the funding shortfall for those facing a cut in support.

Keith Davies AM said

“I am concerned, as is the Minister, that the UK Government is not forthcoming with the eligibility data we need to create a fair system.  This is the criteria we use to build Flying Start and Communities First – to name only a few, and it all depends on clarity in the new system.”

“Communities First has been prominent in Llanelli and funding was announced for the new programme earlier this year in areas including Glanymôr, Tyisha, Felinfoel, Llwynhendy, Bigyn, Lliedi, Hengoed and Trimsaran.  I have seen for myself the positive effect it has. ”

“The Antioch Centre is one of three food banks in Llanelli, they have reported a triple rise in demand over the last few months and have even seen people who have not eaten for days.”

In response to a question from Mr Davies on support for food banks, The Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, Huw Lewis AM, said

“At least temporary destitution is now a feature within our communities that, certainly in my experience as an elected representative, I have not seen up until this point.” 

“As part of the overall response and the drawing up of the Tackling Poverty Action Plan, I think we do need a renewed conversation with those sections of the voluntary sector in particular that are aiming their activity very specifically towards groups of people in financial trouble and that conversation will be on going.”

The Welsh Government has created a Ministerial Task and Finish Group for welfare reform and commissioned three stages of research on impacts in Wales. 

ENDS

The latest Ofcom consultation which closed yesterday (Thursday 2nd  May, 2013) sought views on splitting the current Wales and West Channel 3 area which has existed since the 1960s.

Mr Davies has backed the proposal to create a Wales-only licence, which places Wales on a similar footing to Scotland and Northern Ireland. Following a series of mergers and buy-outs, ITV Plc now hold the franchise licence for England and Wales, whilst UTV runs the service in Northern Ireland with STV running the two Scottish franchise areas.

The Llanelli AM considers any new licence should reflect the distinct cultural identity of Wales post-devolution and has called on Ofcom and the UK Government Minister to support his call for a timetable allowing for the re-advertisement of the franchise to Wales.

Keith Davies AM said:

“I support the possibility of a Wales-only licence and believe that now is the time to have this debate, instead of waiting for the next opportunity for licence renewal in 2023-24.”

“It is important that we re-invigorate this debate by looking further afield and considering bids from independent television companies. They operate in Scotland and in Northern Ireland and have a positive record of producing locally relevant material whilst also operating a successful business model in an extremely competitive market.”

“I believe this is important for media plurality and independent programming here in Wales. We must seek to deliver a wide variety of Wales-specific programming to viewers.”

The First Minister said:

“If it is a model that is used in Scotland and Northern Ireland, there is no reason why that model should not be used in Wales. It is important that commercial television reflects the devolved nature of Wales.”

“Ulster Television is a separate franchise, but Northern Ireland is half the size of Wales…The time has come to move away from the old ‘Wales and the West’ description that we have had for so many years, but I look forward to there being a separate and discrete Channel 3 licence for Wales that properly reflects Wales’s needs and raises Wales’s profile.”
Mr Davies has prominently backed the Ofcom proposal, raising a Statement of Opinion in the Assembly which received cross party support and writing to the Welsh Government Culture Minister, as well as raising the issue with the Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Owen Smith MP; both of whom also support the proposal.
ENDS

Keith Davies AM said,

“The news that 48 jobs will be made redundant from Calsonic Kansei is a blow for the community and the confidence in manufacturing in west Wales.   I am sure that this is a decision which has not been taken lightly.  I believe the company has sought to protect the future viability of the plant to protect the other 450 jobs on site.

“I have written to the Minister for the Economy, Business and Transport, Edwina Hart to request her departments involvement in ensuring that every effort be made to assist the company mitigating any further job losses and to ensure that those affected by this announcement receive the support they need to secure future employment.”

Nia Griffith MP said,

“This will be a devastating blow for each and every one of the workers affected, particularly at a time when job opportunities are few and far between. I know that Welsh Government Minister for Business Edwina Hart AM will do whatever is possible to support them, and to help secure the future for the remaining 450 employees. I will also be asking the Secretary of State for Wales to use whatever influence he has to support.”      

ENDS

Torrodd sawl cwestiwn brys ar draws cwestiwn Mr. Davies i’r Prif Weinidog yr wythnos diwethaf ac oherwydd hynny cafodd ei rwystro rhag cael ei alw. Serch hynny mae’r AC wedi addo godi’r pryderon lleol ar y llwyfan genedlaethol.

Dywedodd Keith Davies AC: “Mae cynnal y Cyfarfod Arbennig wedi codi sawl pryder ar sut y gwneir penderfyniadau a’r teimlad sydd gan rai aelodau’r Awdurdod bod rhai faterion y tu hwnt i’w rheolaeth.    

“Yr hyn sy’n bwysig yw bod aelodau’n teimlo bod ganddynt yr hawl i wneud penderfyniadau annibynol gan danlinelli creu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus o’r ansawdd uchaf a chynaladwy. Cyfrifoldeb aelodau yw sicrhau os oes angen newid yn y gwasanaeth yna mae pob opsiwn yn cael ei hystyried er lles y staff a’r cyhoedd yn gyffredinol.

“ Trueni o’r mwyaf bod arweinydd Plaid Cymru yng nghlymblaid yr enfys sef y grwp sy’n dala’r balans ar yr Awdurdod wedi chwarae gwleidyddiaeth ac yn lle defnyddio’r cyfarfod i chwilio am gyfle am fwy o drafodaeth, maent wedi eilio safbwynt y Prif Swyddog.   Fel soniodd y Cyng Calum Higgins yn ei anerchiad yn y cyfarfod mae cysylltiadau diwydiannol rhwng y diffoddwyr tân a’r rheolwyr wedi cael eu niweidio gan y modd a gyflwynwyd y newidiadau hyn.  Os cawn y fath benderfyniadau yn Llanelli, yna nid oes amheuaeth y bydd y fath yna o drafodaeth yn ennill y dydd mewn cylluniau sy’n ar y gweill ar gyfer trefniadau staffio yn hwyrach eleni ym Mae Abertawe.”

“’Rwyn bwriadu godi’r materion hyn gyda Gweinidog Lwywodraeth Leol, Lesley Griffiths yn y Cynulliad yr wythnos hon.”

DIWEDD

Clefyd feirwl heintus iawn yw’r frech goch a all achosi twymyn, peswch a spotiau coch-brown  amlwg ar y croen.

Yr wythnos diwethaf, bu farw dyn 25 mlwydd oed a ganddo’r feirws ac mae twf aruthrol yn y nifer o achosion yn Abertawe a Chastell Nedd Port Talbot wedi esgor ar glinigau brechu brys yn y cymunedau hynny.

Diffyg gweithredu o’r fath yn Sir Gâr sydd wedi ysgogi Keith Davies i alw ar Hywel Dda i wneud yr un peth ar gyfer teuluoedd ar ochr orllewinol y Llwchwr.

Dywedodd Keith Davies AC:

“Yr wythnos diwethaf cysylltodd fy swyddfa â Bwrdd Iechyd Hywel Dda gan fod pryderon yn cynyddu yngl?n â nifer yr  achosion  o’r frech goch dros  y Llwchwr yn Abertawe.

“Er gwaethaf ymateb ar y cyd gan Fwrdd Iechyd ABMU ’roedd gennyf bryder ein bod yn dal i aros i weld rhaglen gynhwysfawr  ar gyfer rhieni sy’n gofidio am iechyd eu plant yn Llanelli.  

“Gwneuthum yn siwr bod fy mhlant fy hunan yn derbyn brechiad MMR.  Gall canlyniadau’r frech goch fod yn ddifrifol neu hyd yn oed yn angheuol. ’Rwyf am unrhywun sy’n pryderu neu sy’n ansicr i siecio llyfr coch ei phlentyn sy’n gofnod o iechyd ac i wneud popeth i’w amddiffyn naill ai gan fynychu’r clinigau brechu brys neu drwy ganiatau iddynt dderbyn brechiad yn yr ysgol.”

Ers i ni gysylltu â Bwrdd Iechyd Lleol Hywel Dda,  mae’r Bwrdd wedi gwneud datganiad sy’n rhoi gwybod i rieni am sesiwn brechu brys yng Nghlinig Elizabeth Williams yn Llanelli ar Ddydd Sadwrn 27fed Ebrill gyda rhaglen arall o frechu mewn ysgolion y Sir  o Ddydd Llun 29fed Ebrill ymlaen.

Dylai unrhywun â symptomau’r frech goch gadw draw o’r rhaglen frechu ond cysylltu ar unwaith a’u meddyg teulu i ddweud am yr achos ac i dderbyn cyngor meddygol.

DIWEDD

In a statement today, Monday 22nd April 2013, Welsh Labour Minister for Tackling Poverty, Huw Lewis, said he wants Councils and the Welsh Government to work together “to tackle poverty relentlessly in every way we can.”

Llanelli AM Keith Davies said:

“We are only just beginning to see the effects benefit changes are having on families who will face further cuts to their income when the Universal Credit is introduced later this year. 

“As a responsible Government, it is left to colleagues at the National Assembly in Cardiff Bay to do as much as we can to provide additional support to prevent the blight of poverty which damaged our communities in decades past.

“I fully support the Ministers intention to look across all areas of Welsh Government to ensure the work we are doing and the achievements we are making against a tide of cuts from London has the greatest impact on protecting and supporting those who need it.”

Cllr Deryk Cundy, Labour County Councillor for Bynea and Chair of the Cross Party Working Group on Welfare Reform said:

“As Chair of the Cross Party Working Group, that is working to mitigate the effect of the Tory “Bedroom Tax” and misnamed “Welfare Reforms”, I am very worried that some of the most poverty ridden parts of the County are going to be made poorer by the iniquitous policies that the Conservative millionaires are able to enforce only because of the support of their Liberal Democrat partners.

“It’s quite clear that poorer people in rural areas and towns in Carmarthenshire are paying the price for the banks’ failures in the City of London whilst the bankers continue to reward themselves within their bonus culture. 

“I’m grateful that we have a Labour Welsh Government doing all it can to hold back the worst effects of an inept central government that has twisted the electorate’s wishes with its coalition to reward the rich, penalise the poor and remove the aspirations of a generation.”

ENDS